Coudet left gutted as Villarreal's quality trumps Alavés' effort
Alavés boss Eduardo Coudet praised his team's performance despite a 3-1 defeat to Villarreal, admitting the opposition's superior quality made the difference.
Alavés manager Eduardo Coudet cut a frustrated figure despite seeing his side deliver what he considered a strong performance against Villarreal, only to be undone by moments of individual brilliance from their opponents.
Quality tells in the end
Coudet was quick to highlight the gap in class between the two sides, with Villarreal’s clinical finishing proving decisive in their 3-1 victory. Despite Alavés dominating several statistical categories including possession and shots on target, they couldn’t translate that into points.
“The rival has so much that it minimizes all the good things we did,” Coudet lamented post-match, clearly feeling his team deserved more from the game.
Taking responsibility
In a refreshing display of managerial accountability, the Argentine boss shouldered the blame for the defeat rather than pointing fingers at his players:
- Praised his squad’s application and effort throughout
- Acknowledged Villarreal’s first two shots on target were practically unstoppable
- Accepted personal responsibility for tactical decisions
- Highlighted the frustration of playing well but still conceding three goals
Return to identity
Despite the disappointing result, Coudet seemed pleased that his team had rediscovered their essence after straying from their usual style in previous matches. He noted that the physical demands of the game had taken their toll, with Carlos Vicente suffering from cramps towards the end.
Missed opportunities
There was a sense of what might have been in Coudet’s comments, suggesting Alavés could have accumulated significantly more points this season. The defeat leaves them looking nervously over their shoulders in La Liga, despite the encouraging performance.
The quality of Villarreal’s squad, particularly goalscorer Moleiro, ultimately proved too much on a day when Alavés needed perfection but fell just short.