Coudet backs Alavés squad to show character in relegation scrap
Alavés boss Eduardo Coudet remains positive despite dropping into the relegation zone, insisting his team has the character to turn things around against Real Betis.
With Alavés dropping into the relegation spots for the first time this season, manager Eduardo Coudet remains convinced his squad has the character to navigate through this difficult period.
Facing the drop
The Basque side find themselves in a proper pickle as they prepare to host Real Betis this weekend. It’s a crucial fixture for Alavés, who’ve slipped into the bottom three after recent defeats to some top-drawer opposition.
Coudet, however, isn’t pushing the panic button just yet, pointing to how congested the table remains:
“The table is incredibly tight. It’s an unusual league because the eighth-placed team has 24 points and there are many teams bunched together,” the Argentine explained during his pre-match presser at Ibaia.
Injury concerns
The gaffer confirmed that Denis Suárez will be the only absentee for the Betis clash, with the midfielder suffering from an adductor strain that will need monitoring in the coming days.
Home advantage
Despite the pressure mounting, Coudet refuses to label the Betis match as a cup final:
“It’s not a final. I hope we get to play an actual final because we have the opportunity to do so. All matches are important, but at home we’re stronger and we’ll need to play a great game because of the quality of our opponent.”
Finishing woes
When asked about the team’s recent poor form, Coudet identified their lack of cutting edge as the main culprit:
“I attribute it largely to our lack of ruthlessness in front of goal. In the last match, we had chances to equalise. In the final 15 minutes, we pushed Atlético back into their own area in their stadium and created clear opportunities.”
Trust in the group
Perhaps most telling was Coudet’s unwavering belief in his squad’s mentality during tough times. “This group, in difficult moments, always shows its face,” he insisted, reminding everyone that most of the current players were part of last season’s successful survival campaign.
The Argentine also defended his team’s performances, suggesting they’ve been somewhat hard done by: “Football has been a bit unfair to us in terms of points.”
With the relegation battle heating up, this weekend’s clash against Betis at Mendizorrotza could be just the ticket for Alavés to start climbing back up the table. The Bobby Moore’s on them to deliver.