Deportivo Alavés kicked off their pre-season campaign in style with an emphatic 3-0 victory over Castellón in an international club friendly at the José Zorrilla training complex on Thursday, 31 July 2026. The Basque side controlled the match from start to finish, using the early kick-off to fine-tune their attacking rhythm and defensive organization ahead of the new Spanish football season.

Match Overview

Playing in front of a modest but enthusiastic crowd, Alavés dominated possession and created the better chances throughout the 90 minutes. The friendly served as both a fitness test and a tactical experiment for head coach Luis García, who fielded a strong starting eleven mixed with several emerging academy talents. Castellón, preparing for their own league campaign in Spain’s Segunda División, struggled to cope with the pace and intensity of their top-flight opponents but showed glimpses of promise on the counter-attack.

Key Moments

• Opening goal (23’): Alavés took the lead through a well-worked move down the left flank. Winger Carlos Vicente cut inside onto his right foot and curled a precise shot into the far corner, leaving the Castellón goalkeeper with no chance.
• Second goal (51’): Early in the second half, summer signing Asier Villalibre rose highest at the back post to meet a corner kick, powering a header past the stranded defense to double the advantage.
• Third goal (74’): Substitute forward Samu Omorodion sealed the emphatic scoreline with a clinical finish from close range after a clever low cross from full-back Nahuel Tenaglia, capping off a dominant display.

Tactical Story

Alavés lined up in a 4-2-3-1 shape, with the full-backs pushing high to create overloads in wide areas. The midfield pivot of Antonio Blanco and Toni Moya dictated the tempo, allowing the creative number ten to drift between the lines and link up with the front three. Castellón attempted to press high but were often bypassed by crisp, one-touch passing from the home side. As the game progressed, Alavés made multiple substitutions, and it was the fresh legs that added a new dimension, stretching the match and forcing mistakes from a tiring Castellón backline.

Standout Players

• Carlos Vicente: The winger was a constant threat on the left, scoring the opener and providing the assist for the third goal with a whipped cross.
• Asier Villalibre: The powerful striker was a handful for the defence all afternoon, scoring the second goal and holding the ball up effectively.
• Nahuel Tenaglia: The full-back was lively throughout, contributing to attacking phases with overlapping runs and delivering the assist for the final goal.

Season Impact and Next Steps

This victory will give Alavés a significant confidence boost as they continue their pre-season preparations. The clean sheet will be particularly pleasing for the coaching staff, who have focused on defensive solidity during the summer. For Castellón, the defeat offers valuable lessons ahead of their upcoming league fixtures, especially in managing transitions against higher-quality opposition.

Both sides will take different positives from the match, but for Alavés, the performance served as an early statement of intent. With key players already in sharp form and the new signings integrating well, the club will hope to carry this momentum into the grand opening of the 2026-27 season.