Alavés Advances to Copa del Rey Quarterfinals with Impressive Defense

Alavés has successfully progressed to the quarterfinals of the Copa del Rey after a 2-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano at Mendizorroza on Wednesday.

Similar to their previous match against Sevilla, coach Eduardo Coudet opted for a mixed lineup featuring both starters and substitutes. Among his selections, goalkeeper Raúl Fernández once again took the field. Although he plays behind Antonio Sivera in La Liga, he has effectively utilized his opportunities in the Copa del Rey to demonstrate his capabilities.

Raúl has been the chosen goalkeeper for all four Copa matches, where he has confronted CD Getxo, Portugalete, Sevilla, and Rayo Vallecano. A consistent factor across these fixtures is that Alavés has not conceded a single goal.

The former goalkeeper for Mirandés and Athletic, among others, has successfully secured the net, which has proven crucial for his team’s success in this knockout tournament.

In fact, Alavés stands out as the only team among the six that have reached the quarterfinals without conceding a goal in the Copa. This highlights their defensive robustness, a vital trait as they continue to advance in single-elimination matches.

During moments of pressure from opponents, Raúl has consistently been in position to thwart potential threats. Notably, during the match against Rayo Vallecano with the score at 0-0, he executed a crucial save against Fran Pérez that could have altered the outcome of the game.

The Basque goalkeeper has made a total of 10 saves over more than 360 minutes on the pitch for Alavés in these four Copa encounters. While Antonio Sivera’s performance remains unquestionable, Raúl’s current form confirms that the babazorra’s goalkeeping remains in capable hands. As league fortunes have waned recently, the Copa has emerged as a beacon of hope for fans at Mendizorroza.