Struggles in Front of Goal: Deportivo Alavés’ Ongoing Challenges

Deportivo Alavés has encountered a troubling trend, going three consecutive matches without scoring and feeling the sting of lost points due to their inability to convert chances. While there are reasons for the team to feel content with their overall season performance, their away games demand significantly higher standards. On Saturday, the Vitorians suffered another defeat against Girona after a lackluster first half and squandered several scoring opportunities in the second half.

This situation echoes previous away matches where the team left empty-handed despite moments of dominance and numerous opportunities. Currently, Alavés ranks as the second-lowest scoring away team in La Liga, having netted only two goals in six matches. Their solitary goal at San Mamés came from an own goal by Berenguer, while Guevara scored the other during their encounter in Getafe. Only Osasuna has fewer goals to their name than the ‘Glorioso’.

The team has failed to score in four matches, a situation not attributable to a lack of opportunities. In fact, Coudet’s squad boasts an expected goals (xG) average of 5.11, suggesting they should have scored three more goals than they have. This discrepancy translates into lost points, as they have consistently found themselves in low-scoring situations. With just a bit more accuracy in finishing, they could have secured draws in their last three narrow defeats away from home.

“We need to become obsessed with scoring,” stated Coudet after the match in Girona, a sentiment he echoed two weeks prior in Vallecas. The harsh reality for the Vitorians during away games is closely tied to their struggles in front of the goal. Despite conceding only five goals in six matches as visitors, Coudet recognizes that the key area for improvement lies in their performance in the final third.