Rioja takes the fantasy jackpot: 12 Comunio points and Valencia's win at Mendizorroza

Deportivo Alavés

The two teams arrived at the match from very different situations. The Alavés had 10 points after a strong start, although they were coming off their first defeat of the season in Santander. Valencia, meanwhile, had managed just one point in five matchdays and faced their first game after the sacking of Carlos Corberán, with Óscar Sánchez in charge on an interim basis. The win leaves Valencia with four points and halts a Vitoria side that had been perfect at home.

First half

The change of scenery on the bench was noticeable from the start, with Valencia more aggressive as they pushed forward. The visitors tried to unsettle Alavés' build-up and found spaces to run into, first with Javi Guerra and then with a long-range effort from Guido Rodríguez. The first big jolt came in the 17th minute: Danjuma finished a move involving De Haas and Guerra to beat Sivera, but the VAR review spotted offside and ruled out the 0-1.

Valencia kept up a greater presence for many minutes with the ball, and Ugrinic again tested Sivera. Alavés needed time to find their footing, but they grew into the game as the break approached. Toni Martínez and Pablo Ibáñez warned before Ángel Pérez forced Dimitrievski to intervene in one of the clearest moments of the first period. The Macedonian goalkeeper responded and kept it 0-0 until the teams went in.

Second half

Alavés returned with more determination and again moved closer to Valencia's area. Toni Martínez had a good chance around the 56th minute, in a phase where the home side were starting to contest control of the match. Óscar Sánchez then shifted the attack: Luis Rioja replaced Hugo Duro in the 63rd minute, and Otorbi appeared shortly after to add pace from the flank.

The move that broke the game came from Javi Guerra. The midfielder found space between the lines and threaded the pass that left Rioja in a position to finish. The former Alavés player made no mistake and scored the 0-1 in the 78th minute. His celebration was restrained on his return to Mendizorroza and, shortly afterwards, he had to leave the pitch with discomfort, replaced by Arnau Martínez.

Quique Sánchez Flores turned to Mariano, Youssef, Aleñá, Guevara and Miguel Rodríguez to increase the late pressure. Alavés ended up having more shots than their rival, but they lacked the precision to turn that attacking volume into goals. In stoppage time, Boyé found a header that Dimitrievski saved, while Valencia also had chances to finish it off: Otorbi brushed the second in a transition and Sivera prevented 0-2 against Danjuma in a one-on-one.

Top Comunio / Sofascore performers

29

Denis Suárez
1.610.000€+210.000€6

J6

5

J5

4

J4

4

J3

6

J2

MD

00

For Alavés, the best ratings were spread out. Denis Suárez reached 6 Comunio points and a 7.2 on Sofascore, putting in good minutes in the build-up before being substituted. Ángel Pérez also added 6 points and a 7.1, and featured in one of the most dangerous arrivals of the first half. On the same fantasy total finished Toni Martínez, with 6 points and 7.1. Mariano Díaz also wrapped up his involvement with 6 points and 7.1.

16

Luis Rioja
1.420.000€+220.000€12

J6

-

J5

-

J4

0

J3

-

J2

MD

01

For Valencia, the standout name was Luis Rioja: 12 Comunio points and a 7.6 on Sofascore. He came on from the bench, scored the only goal, and turned a relatively short spell into the most profitable fantasy performance of the match. His subsequent substitution due to discomfort means his progress will need to be monitored before the next matchday.

Dimitrievski also looked very solid, with 8 Comunio points and a 7.4. His saves before the break and in the final stretch were decisive in keeping the clean sheet. Pepelu added 7 points and another 7.4, while Gayà reached 6 points with a 7.1. The most striking case was Javi Guerra: despite providing the assist for the 0-1 and having an impact in several transitions, his fantasy output finished on 3 Comunio points and 6.4 on Sofascore. There were no negative Comunio scores for either team.

Match details

Result: Deportivo Alavés 0-1 Valencia CF.
Goal: 0-1, Luis Rioja (78'), assist by Javi Guerra.
Stadium: Mendizorroza.
Referee: Miguel Sesma.
VAR: Valentín Pizarro.

Deportivo Alavés: Sivera; Tenaglia, Koski, Valentini; Ángel Pérez, Pablo Ibáñez, Antonio Blanco, Denis Suárez, Abde Rebbach; Toni Martínez and Lucas Boyé.

Valencia CF: Dimitrievski; Maffeo, Pepelu, De Haas, Gayà; Aaron Mayol, Ugrinic, Guido Rodríguez, Javi Guerra; Danjuma and Hugo Duro.