Straight
Alavés will play against Levante in the final for promotion to the First Division. They defeated Eibar with an early goal from Rebbach and another late goal from Villalibre, giving them an opportunity to play for the remaining spot for glory. The Gipuzkoans, on the other hand, failed again, like last season, in their attempt to touch the sky. Like a year ago, they played it with their fingertips, sinking into the final bars. This time, however, it wasn’t so cruel. His decline in the final stages was evident.
2
Sivera, Abdel Abqar (Laguardia, Min. 78), Rubén Duarte, Nahuel Tenaglia (Anderson Arroyo, Min. 72), Sedlar, Luis Rioja, Guridi (Carlos Benavídez, Min. 78), Abderrahman Rebbach, Antonio Blanco, Salva Sevilla ( Toni Moya, min. 38) and Mamadou (Villalibre, min. 72)
0
Luca Zidane, Rober (Peru Nolaskoain, min. 69), Chema, Juan Berrocal, Tejero, Quique (José Corpas, min. 56), Javi Muñoz (Aketxe, min. 45), Matheus Pereira, Yanis Rahmani (Jon Bautista, min .45), Sergio Álvarez (Gustavo Blanco, min. 79) and Stoichkov
Goals 1-0 min 1: Abderrahman Rebbach. 2:0 minutes. 88: Villalibre.
referee Adrian Cordero Vega
Garitano’s score was changed before the first minute. He had more than 90 minutes more to wear Alavés down with his special Bolero de Ravel, that ostinato in the crescendo waiting for every off-key note from the locals to bring down the Vitoria Orchestra, but plans had to be cut short because of the baton being changed had not yet moved and the Albiazules had already taken the lead. It was a masterful move by García Plaza that, on the first play, ordered Luis Rioja to seek the opponent’s area not to the left as usual, but to the right. The confusion of the Eibar defenders, who didn’t know how to stop the local winger, turned into a couple of dribbles, one to the right, the other to the left, giving him enough space for a left-footed cross Rebbach punched him on the head that defeated Luca Zidane from close range.
From that moment and almost to the end, everything changed. If Eibar wasn’t interested in taking the initiative but waiting for Alavés’ mistake, then before the first minute they had to change their plans. Alavés gave him the ball and made him drown on the bank every time he reached his territory. The gunsmith team tried shots from outside the box. The best was for Correa, who kicked hard, but Sivera responded by sticking his arms out in front. Alavés held on well until the break, knowing full well that Garitano would have to modify the pieces to turn the game around.
That’s how it went. He brought on Aketxe and Jon Bautista to form a team with a strong attacking drive and urged Alavés to defend near the penalty area. Stoichkov had the best chance of equalizing but on the first try Sivera blocked his hard shot and on the second two defenders tried to avert even more damage.
With referee Cordero Vega slowing down the tempo more than the Alavés players, who took advantage, Eibar had one more chance which ended in a high shot, but then it was Alavés, cleverly playing the counterattack, who made it most translucent. Asier Villalibre had come onto the field, applauding like a demigod, and he immediately showed the reason for that reception, receiving in midfield, struggling with the centre-back and putting a delicious ball to Abde, who was alone against Luca, firing high. But it was once again Villalibre who put an end to concerns in the stands when he scored on the left in the 88th minute, slipped through the defense and crossed in front of the Eibar keeper to seal the equaliser. Vitoria vibrates with the possibility of promotion, but Levante is there.
You can follow EL PAÍS Deportes on Facebook and Twitteror sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter.