ALAVÉS NEWS

Jason - Creates three chances in loss Jason created three chances and won two of two tackles in Sunday's 1-0 defeat against Barcelona. He also made an interception in the match.

Impact Jason was a threat to Barcelona with his passing on Sunday, but it wasn't enough to earn a result. He hasn't recorded a direct goal involvement in La Liga since December 2019, but he's started Alaves' last two games on the right wing despite only playing the first half in each of them.

JANUARY 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Joselu - Takes three shots against Barcelona Joselu took three shots and created a chance in Sunday's 1-0 defeat against Barcelona. He also made four clearances and won two of three tackles in the match.

Impact Joselu was active in attack and helpful defensively on Sunday, but he wasn't accurate enough with his shooting to break into Barcelona's goal. He will hope to be more clinical after the international break against Elche, which have conceded 30 times in 22 La Liga matches this season.

JANUARY 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Fernando Pacheco - Concedes goal against Barcelona Pacheco made three saves but conceded a goal in Sunday's 1-0 defeat against Barcelona.

Impact Pacheco will be disappointed to have been beaten by an 87th-minute Frenkie De Jong strike on Sunday that robbed his side of a result just before the international break. Alaves have kept just one clean sheet in their last 13 La Liga games since late October. Next up will be a clash against Elche, which have scored 23 goals in 22 matches this season.

JANUARY 23, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Fernando Pacheco - Concedes four in loss Pacheco conceded four goals and made one save during Tuesday's 4-0 loss to Real Betis.

Impact Pacheco had kept a clean sheet in the rainy derby against Athletic Club but faced and failed in a much tougher challenge when traveling to Betis. He's now winless in seven straight starts heading into Sunday's visit from Barcelona, which have been held to just three goals in their last three matches.

JANUARY 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Javi Lopez - Comes off bench in loss Lopez logged 42 minutes and created one chance during Tuesday's 4-0 loss to Real Betis.

Impact Lopez came in just after halftime when Ruben Duarte was taken out due to injury. With just three starts in six appearances this season, Lopez may get another chance if Duarte remains out in the next match against Barcelona.

JANUARY 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Matt Miazga - Logs four clearances in loss Miazga made four clearances and one block during Tuesday's 4-0 loss to Real Betis.

Impact Miazga has started each of the last two matches but struggled more against a high-powered Betis attack. His presence in the lineup is more notable after not playing in six straight games, though the schedule won't get any easier with Barcelona, Valencia and Real Madrid listed in three of the next four matches. It will be also be worth seeing if Florian Lejeune gets the next start after returning from suspension or if Miazga has done enough to keep his place.

JANUARY 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Joselu - Logs two shots in loss Joselu put two shots off target in 75 minutes of Tuesday's 4-0 loss to Real Betis.

Impact Joselu has failed to put any of his five shots on target over the last two matches, though this game came against an in-form Betis side that doesn't leave much room for mistakes. The schedule won't get any easier when Barcelona visit Sunday, as the Catalans have conceded three goals over their last three league matches.

JANUARY 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ruben Duarte - Leaves early in loss Duarte left in the 48th minute of Tuesday's 4-0 loss to Real Betis due to injury, according to his club.

Impact Duarte was replaced by Javi Lopez in a four-man switch just after halftime, but only his was motivated by injury. With starts in five of the last six matches, it's likely that Duarte would remain in the lineup if he's fit, though that may not be possible by Sunday's match against Barcelona.

JANUARY 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Pere Pons - Back in team Tuesday Pons (knee) is on the bench for Tuesday's match against Betis.

Impact Pons returns to the team after only having to miss two league matches with a sprained knee. Prior to the injury, he had nine-straight starts in which he produced one goal from seven shots. The addition of Jason could hurt playing time, but he still figures to be a regular in the midfield going forward.

JANUARY 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Jason - Stays in starting XI Jason (undisclosed) is in the starting XI for Tuesday's match against Betis.

Impact Jason is back in the starting XI Tuesday after being forced off in the 41st minute in the last match more than a week ago. The former Valencia man already has a role at Alaves, something that will hopefully produce numbers that he reached earlier in his career at Levante and Getafe.

JANUARY 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Victor Laguardia - Back in starting XI Laguardia (undisclosed) is in the starting XI for Tuesday's match against Betis.

Impact Laguardia returns to the XI Tuesday after missing the last league match possibly with COVID-19. The center-back is a regular in the squad and that'll continue going forward. He doesn't get a ton of opportunities from center-back, but he has two goals and one assist this season, already at levels of prior campaigns.

JANUARY 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Florian Lejeune - Picks up fifth yellow card Lejeune conceded his fifth yellow card of the season and made 11 clearances during Sunday's scoreless draw with Athletic Club.

Impact Lejeune played a big role in stifling a tough opponent at home and in the rain, but he conceded an early booking that will put him on the sidelines for one match. In his absence, Matt Miazga and Victor Laguardia seem a likely center-back pairing, if Laguardia is available. If not, Tachi could make a rare appearance.

JANUARY 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Fernando Pacheco - Keeps clean sheet at home Pacheco kept a clean sheet and made two saves during Sunday's scoreless draw with Athletic Club.

Impact Pacheco was fortunate to face a team growing in attacking confidence during a rainy derby instead of on a clean pitch. As a result, he didn't have too much work to do and could focus more on solid distribution, which resulted in him completing the third-most passes on his team. The schedule will now get tougher against some of the league's top attacking sides, so Pacheco will need to be sharper on his own and get more help from his teammates in order to offer enough value.

JANUARY 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Ruben Duarte - Active in draw Duarte logged five inaccurate crosses, won four-of-five tackles, made five interceptions and steered one shot on target during Sunday's scoreless draw with Athletic Club.

Impact Duarte also conceded a yellow card during a match in which he was one of the best from either side. He also came close from a rare shooting attempt but what's more notable is his 18 crosses and 12 tackles (10 won) over his last four starts. Should Los Gloriosos get back on track under new manager Jose Luis Mendilibar, Duarte looks likely to have a big role in that progress.

JANUARY 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Joselu - Takes three shots in draw Joselu took three shots (zero on goal) and created two chances during Sunday's scoreless draw with Athletic Club.

Impact Joselu wasn't the only striker to struggle during a rainy match as only three shots were steered on target from either side. Given that he was still able to create some plays, this match may end up as a blip in his form, as he's still scored nine goals and provided two assists in his last 12 matches. During this streak, Joselu has never hone more than two matches in a row without scoring snd no more than one match without a contribution to a goal, whether by finding the net himself or by setting up a teammate.

JANUARY 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gonzalo Escalante - Makes debut in draw Escalante put one shot off target in 49 minutes of Sunday's scoreless draw with Athletic Club.

Impact Escalante alternated debuts with Jason as each got plenty of minutes during a rainy derby. Getting production from the wings has been difficult for Alaves this season, so both Escalante and Jason will do their best to offer new alternatives in the attack. Additionally, Escalante has the benefit of playing under manager Jose Luis Mendilibar, who recently took charge of Los Gloriosos.

JANUARY 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Jason - Lasts 41 minutes in draw Jason created one chance in 41 minutes of Sunday's scoreless draw with Athletic Club.

Impact Jason made his debut for Alaves during a rainy match and evidently didn't have enough fitness to play past halftime. While he didn't exactly look hurt upon his exit, something could have happened which caused him to depart earlier than expected. As he builds up his chemistry with his new teammates, Jason will hope to take on a bigger role following a tough year-and-a-half at Valencia.

JANUARY 10, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Victor Laguardia - Out against Bilbao Laguardia is not in Alaves' match day squad for Sunday's clash against Athletic.

Impact Laguardia will miss just his second La Liga game of the season on Sunday, and although Alaves haven't formally announced why, it is likely due to COVID-19. Matt Miazga starts in central defense in Laguardia's absence, but he will hope to be back for the Betis game on Jan. 18.

JANUARY 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Fernando Pacheco - Starting against Bilbao Pacheco (undisclosed) is in Alaves' starting lineup for Sunday's clash against Athletic.

Impact Pacheco missed last weekend's draw against Real Sociedad for an undisclosed reason, but he is back now and is starting on Sunday.

JANUARY 9, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Mamadou Loum - Called up for AFCON Loum has been called up by Senegal to compete in the African Cup of Nations and will miss at least three games for his club.

Impact Loum has featured in every La Liga game this season for Alaves, with 15 starts in midfield, but he will miss about a month or so while with the Senegal National Team. Pere Pons (knee) could return to the lineup in his place if fit enough, or Tomas Pina could fill in as well.

JANUARY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Gonzalo Escalante - Transfers to Alaves Escalante has joined Alaves on a season-long loan, Lazio announced.

Impact Escalante has never featured this season as the coach preferred other options in the role. He previously spent multiple years at Eibar. He tallied four goals, 22 shots, 50 tackles and 21 interceptions in 32 matches in his best season in 2018.

JANUARY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Jesus Owono - Extends contract, leaves for AFCON Owono joined up with Guinea for the African Cup of Nations, but not before he signed a two-and-a-half-year contract extension with Alaves, according to El Correo Alava.

Impact Owono will miss at least Alaves' next three games while competing with Guinea, but the 20-year-old goalkeeper has committed to his side through the 2023/24 season after making his first La Liga appearance on Sunday.

JANUARY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Jason - Joins Alaves Jason signed a three-and-a-half year contract with Deportivo Alaves after transferring from Valencia on Tuesday.

Impact Jason once logged nine assists over two seasons with Levante and Getafe but has since struggled for minutes at Valencia. Now with Alaves, Jason is another option on the wings for a team trying to escape relegation. If he can manage to start and be productive, Jason will need to take advantage of playing with the consistent Joselu in the attack.

JANUARY 4, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Jesus Owono - Concedes one in draw Owono conceded one goal and made three saves during Sunday's 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad.

Impact Owono has only been on the bench one time all season but came in to start with Fernando Pacheco unavailable. While he's unlikely to hold down the spot without showing impressive performances, any absence for Pacheco gives him another opportunity to prove himself.

JANUARY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Luis Rioja - Logs three shots in loss Rioja took three shots (one on goal), created one chance and conceded a yellow card during Sunday's 1-1 draw with Real Sociedad.

Impact Rioja has offered a reasonable attacking threat with five shots taken and 10 crosses provided over his last three matches, but it can take too long for him to put up useful numbers. Up next is a visit from Athletic Club, which rank among the strongest defensive sides in the league.

JANUARY 3, 2022 • ROTOWIRE