Hellas Verona vs Juventus | Serie A | Pre Match

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Hellas Verona vs Juventus

As the sun dips behind the Cantabrian mountains and the Estadio de Mendizorroza prepares to host another chapter in its storied La Liga journey, Deportivo Alavés welcome Sevilla FC for a Saturday evening showdown that promises tension, tactical intrigue, and a battle between two sides seeking very different forms of validation. For Alavés, the fixture represents an opportunity to build on a promising start to the 2025–26 campaign and secure back-to-back wins in Spain’s top flight for the first time this season. For Sevilla, it is a chance to arrest a worrying trend of inconsistency and prove that last season’s near-disaster was an aberration rather than a new normal.

Alavés enter the contest with quiet confidence, having collected seven points from their opening four matches—an impressive haul that places them seventh in the La Liga standings. Their campaign began with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Levante on August 16, a result that showcased their resilience and ability to grind out results. However, that early momentum was briefly halted by a narrow 1–0 defeat to Real Betis in gameweek two, a match in which Alavés struggled to break down a disciplined Betis backline and lacked the final-third sharpness to turn possession into points. Yet rather than spiral into a slump, Eduardo Coudet’s side responded with admirable grit, holding Atletico Madrid to a 1–1 draw on August 30 before pulling off a stunning 1–0 win away to Athletic Bilbao—a result that sent ripples through the league and underscored their growing maturity.

The victory at San Mamés was emblematic of the new Alavés under Coudet. Organized, compact, and opportunistic, they frustrated Bilbao for long stretches before capitalizing on a moment of misfortune, with Alex Berenguer’s own goal in the 57th minute proving decisive. It was not a performance built on flair or dominance, but rather on tactical discipline and collective effort—qualities that have become hallmarks of Coudet’s approach. The Argentine manager, known for his high-energy style and emphasis on vertical transitions, has instilled a sense of belief in a squad that finished 15th last season and flirted with relegation. Now, with a top-half finish for the first time since 2017 within reach, Alavés are beginning to dream bigger.

Their recent record against Sevilla adds further fuel to that optimism. While the historical head-to-head favors the Andalusians—Sevilla have won 20 of the 42 meetings between the sides—Alavés have emerged victorious in three of the last four encounters. The visitors have not beaten Alavés since January 2023 and have managed just one win in their last seven meetings, a trend that reflects both Alavés’ growing competitiveness and Sevilla’s recent decline. Mendizorroza, often a fortress for the Basque side, will be buzzing with anticipation, aware that another win could not only consolidate their top-half status but also deepen the crisis enveloping their more illustrious opponents.

Sevilla arrive in Vitoria-Gasteiz with four points from four matches—a modest return that places them 12th in the table, three points adrift of Alavés. Their season began in chaotic fashion, losing 3–2 to Athletic Bilbao in a pulsating opener before succumbing 2–1 at home to Getafe in gameweek two. A 2–0 win over Girona at the end of August offered a brief respite, but last weekend’s 2–2 draw with Elche—secured only by an 85th-minute equalizer from Peque Fernandez—highlighted the defensive frailties and lack of cohesion that continue to plague Matías Almeyda’s side. The Argentine coach, appointed to steady the ship after last season’s near-relegation, has yet to find a consistent formula, and the pressure is beginning to mount.

Last season’s 17th-place finish was Sevilla’s worst in La Liga since their relegation in 2000, a stark fall from grace for a club that finished fourth in three consecutive seasons between 2020 and 2022. The decline has been both structural and psychological—key players have aged, tactical identity has eroded, and the aura of invincibility that once surrounded Los Nervionenses has dissipated. Almeyda’s task is not merely to win matches but to rebuild belief, restore discipline, and reestablish Sevilla as a force in Spanish football. Saturday’s clash with Alavés, therefore, is more than a routine fixture—it is a test of character, strategy, and ambition.

In terms of personnel, Alavés are in enviable shape. No injuries have been reported ahead of the match, giving Coudet a full squad to choose from. While the core of the team that triumphed at San Mamés is expected to remain intact, there could be tweaks in the final third. Denis Suárez and Lucas Boyé are both pushing for starts, with their creativity and movement offering alternatives to the more direct approach favored in recent weeks. Toni Martínez, another attacking option, is likely to begin on the bench but remains a potent weapon should the game require a late injection of energy. Coudet’s depth in attack is a luxury rarely afforded to Alavés in recent seasons, and it could prove decisive as the campaign unfolds.

Sevilla, meanwhile, are dealing with a few absences but remain largely intact. Joan Jordán is ruled out through injury, depriving Almeyda of a midfield metronome capable of dictating tempo and recycling possession. However, the rest of the squad is available, and changes are expected following the draw with Elche. Kike Salas may be introduced at the back to add composure and aerial strength, while José Ángel Carmona could feature as a wing-back, offering width and dynamism in transition. Isaac Romero, who found the net against Elche, is set to lead the line, supported by a rotating cast that could include Peque Fernandez and veteran Alexis Sánchez, both of whom are expected to start on the bench.

Tactically, the match presents a fascinating contrast. Alavés, under Coudet, favor a compact 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 shape, with quick transitions and aggressive pressing in midfield. Their defensive structure is built around denying space between the lines and forcing opponents wide, where they can be isolated and contained. Sevilla, by contrast, have struggled to impose a coherent system. Almeyda has experimented with various formations, including a 3-5-2 and a 4-3-3, but defensive lapses and midfield imbalance have undermined their efforts. The key for Sevilla will be controlling the tempo and avoiding turnovers in dangerous areas—something they failed to do against Elche and were punished for.

Set-pieces could play a pivotal role. Alavés have shown proficiency in dead-ball situations, both defensively and offensively, while Sevilla’s vulnerability in defending corners and free-kicks has been exposed repeatedly. The aerial battle between Salas and Boyé, should both start, will be one to watch, as will the midfield duel between Denis Suárez and Ivan Rakitić, assuming the latter is deployed in a deeper role. The margins are likely to be fine, and moments of individual brilliance or defensive lapses could swing the outcome.

Psychologically, Alavés hold the edge. Their recent form, home advantage, and historical dominance in recent meetings give them a platform of confidence. Sevilla, on the other hand, are navigating a period of uncertainty, and the pressure to deliver could either galvanize or paralyze them. Almeyda’s ability to motivate and organize his squad will be tested, and the response could shape the narrative of their season.

As the teams prepare to take the field, the stakes are clear. For Alavés, it is a chance to continue their ascent, to prove that their early-season form is sustainable, and to lay the foundation for a campaign that could exceed expectations. For Sevilla, it is an opportunity to halt the slide, to reclaim lost ground, and to show that they remain a force to be reckoned with. The clash at Mendizorroza may not carry the glamour of El Clásico or the intensity of the Seville derby, but it is a fixture rich in subtext, ambition, and consequence.

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