Discover how Alavés is turning heads in La Liga with clever tactics, a strong academy, and a well-planned strategy — and how their future in football looks more promising than ever.
How Alavés’ Tactical Innovation Is Shaking La Liga in 2025
Deportivo Alavés, a team historically recognized for its hard-working, tough, and well-drilled style of play, is experiencing a remarkable transformation in 2025.
The Babazorros — a nickname for Alavés — are proving to be much more than just survivors in La Liga; they’re innovators, trailblazers, and a team to watch in the future of Spanish Demo PG Soft.
This dramatic change isn’t a coincidence.
It’s the result of careful planning, a clear tactical ideology, a well-structured academy, and a forward-thinking coach who’s willing to challenge traditions.
This article will take you deep into how Alavés is shaking La Liga — from their tactics to their academy, their key players, and their future ambitions — while offering a rich, SEO-optimized view into their remarkable rise.
1️⃣. The Tactical Transformation — Alavés’ Philosophy Explained
For years, Alavés were labeled as a defensive side — tough, hard to break down, and pragmatic.
But under their new coach, the team is transitioning toward a more progressive style of play.
Instead of sitting back and waiting for counter-attacks, Alavés now proactively press, control possession, and dictate the flow of games.
The Tactical Philosophy:
✅ Positional Play: Alavés have implemented a positional structure, spreading their players across the pitch to create numerous passing options.
This lets them control the ball and progress through the thirds quickly and efficiently.
✅ High Press: The team’s forward players, supported by aggressive midfielders, press high up the pitch to win back possession in dangerous areas.
This tactic has forced numerous mistakes from opposition defenders and opened up scoring opportunities.
✅ Flexible Formation: Alavés typically start in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 formation, but the players interchange positions smoothly.
This flexibility makes it hard for opponents to track their movements and adjust their defensive schemes.
2️⃣. Tactical Innovation — Why Alavés Stand Out
Alavés’ main innovation lies in their ability to blend their hard-working roots with a sophisticated, modern style of possession and pressing.
This combination makes them a unique side in La Liga — a team that can match the industry of a small club while employing strategies typically associated with European giants.
Examples of Innovation:
➥ Using Full-Backs to Provide Width:
Instead of overlapping just to put crosses into the box, Alavés’ full-backs sometimes move into midfield to create numerical superiority.
This tactic lets them control possession and dictate the flow of the match.
➥ Controlled Transitions:
The team is proficient at turning defensive phases into attack instantly — a key to their success against more dominant teams.
➥ Positional Rotations:
Forwards drop into midfield, wingers cut in, and central midfielders push forward, swapping positions smoothly.
This confuses marking schemes and makes it hard for opponents to track their movement.
3️⃣. Rising Players — Alavés’ Tactical Success Is Built on Talent
The transformation at Alavés isn’t just about tactics — it’s also about having the right players who can execute the coach’s plans.
Players Who Shine:
✅ Carlos Benavidez (Midfield General) —
Benavidez controls the center of the park with his remarkable ability to win back possession and distribute accurately under pressure.
He plays a key role in making sure Alavés’ high-press and possession-oriented style function smoothly.
✅ Luis Rioja (Flank Innovation) —
The energetic winger is a perfect embodiment of Alavés’ new approach.
He cuts inside, drops into spaces, and combines effectively with teammates — adding creativity and aggression to their attack.
✅ Javi López (Full-Back Hybrid) —
López is a perfect example of a modern full-back.
He’s comfortable overlapping, underlapping, or entering central spaces — adding a powerful dimension to Alavés’ possession and defensive structure.
4️⃣. Tactical Training — Inside Alavés’ Method
How does Alavés instil this sophisticated style into their players?
1️⃣. Small-Sided Games:
Training sessions frequently use small-sided games to maximize touches, decision-making, and combination play.
This lets players develop an understanding of space and movement — crucial for their positional style of play.
2️⃣. Tactical Periodization:
The coach plans the training calendar carefully — physical conditioning, technical skills, and tactics all progress in phases.
This guarantees the team reaches peak form at key points in the season and avoids overloading players physically.
3️⃣. Video Analysis Sessions:
The team reviews match footage frequently, identifying both strong points and weaknesses in their positional structures.
This collaborative process lets players visualize and learn from their own movements — strengthening their understanding of the system.
5️⃣. The Success So Far — Alavés Rising in La Liga Standings
This approach is yielding results.
Alavés, previously expected to fight against relegation, are now challenging for a place in the upper half of La Liga.
They’re scoring more goals, conceding less, and outperforming many clubs with bigger budgets and more well-known players.
Improvement Metrics:
✅ Higher Possession:
Alavés’ average possession jumped from 42% last season to nearly 55%.
This signals their ability to control the ball and dictate play against a range of opponents.
✅ Higher xG (Expected Goals):
The team’s expected goals per match jumped from 0.9 last season to 1.4 — reflecting their ability to create more scoring chances.
✅ Lower xG Against:
Meanwhile, their expected goals against fell from 1.5 to 1.1 — a clear indicator their defensive structure has improved alongside their attack.
6️⃣. Tactical Innovation Equals Culture Change
Alavés’ transformation isn’t just about tactics — it’s about a culture change.
The players, academy, and fans have all bought into this new style of play.
The unity and discipline shown on the pitch reflect a deep-rooted understanding of what the team is trying to achieve.
7️⃣. The Future — Where Alavés Are Heading
This season might just be the start.
If Alavés can consolidate their style of play, produce their own talent from the academy, and continue making smart signings, the future looks extremely bright.
Possible Goals:
➥ Compete for European Places:
With their trajectory, Alavés could aim for a spot in the Europa Conference League or even Europa League in the next few years.
➥ Develop Talent:
Their academy might become a key hub for developing players who can execute sophisticated tactics from a young age — securing the future of the first team.
➥ Sustain Success:
Most clubs experience fluctuations in form, but Alavés’ blend of hard-working culture and forward-thinking tactics should allow them to maintain competitiveness in La Liga for years to come.
8️⃣. Conclusion — Alavés, a Model for Tactical Innovation
Alavés’ transformation highlights the power of a clear tactical ideology, strong academy structures, and a culture of discipline and unity.
The team has successfully blended their traditional hard-working roots with a sophisticated, modern style of football — proving you do not need the greatest resources to innovate and outperform.
This approach makes Alavés a true role model for clubs across Europe — a side that dares to be different and reaps the rewards.
Support your team, celebrate their progress, and back their future in the world of football.
Whether you’re cheering from the stands or from home, your loyalty matters.
Together, we can appreciate and celebrate the rich, tactical journey of football — a journey Alavés is making their own.