Espanyol Welcomes Alavés to the RCDE Stadium

Good afternoon and welcome to LaLiga EA Sports! Today, we bring you live coverage from the RCDE Stadium as Espanyol takes on Alavés in the opening match of matchday 22. Both teams return to league action after a week filled with significant events. Espanyol’s protest to the Technical Committee of Referees (CTA) regarding recent officiating decisions and the controversial transfer of Carlos Vicente to Birmingham City have dominated headlines.

Pre-Match Buzz and Team News

Despite a somewhat challenging start to 2026, Espanyol maintains a comfortable position in the league standings. The team aims to put recent controversies behind them and rediscover their winning form at their home ground, the RCDE Stadium, which has been a fortress throughout the first half of the season. Espanyol welcomes back El Hilali after a suspension, bolstering their squad for this crucial encounter.

Alavés, on the other hand, seeks to build on the positive momentum from their recent performance against Betis and secure points in Barcelona. However, they will be without Carlos Vicente, who has moved to Birmingham City, a transfer that has sparked debate in Vitoria. Alavés welcomes Facundo Garcés back to the squad after his FIFA suspension was lifted, and Ángel Pérez makes his debut following a short training period. Unfortunately, Denis Suárez remains unavailable for selection.

Starting Lineups

Espanyol XI: Dmitrovic; Riedel, Calero, Cabrera, Carlos Romero; Jofre, Urko, Edu Expósito, Terrats; Kike González, Roberto.

Alavés XI: Sivera; Jhonny, Protesoni, Pacheco, Parada; Blanco, Ibáñez, Calebe, Aleña; Toni Martínez, Lucas Boyé.

Key Talking Points

• Alan Pace’s Perspective: Espanyol’s president, Alan Pace, expressed his enthusiasm for his role and the club’s progress, acknowledging the adjustments needed to adapt to the nuances of LaLiga officiating compared to the Premier League.
• Eduardo Coudet’s Strategy: Alavés manager Eduardo Coudet emphasized his team’s intention to be proactive and deliver an entertaining match.
• Manolo González’s Assessment: Espanyol’s coach, Manolo González, highlighted the need to find balance and improve results, while confirming Riedel’s role as a right-back.
• The Carlos Vicente Transfer: The departure of Carlos Vicente to Birmingham City has been a major talking point, with the player expressing his excitement about joining the English club.
• Facundo Garcés’ Return: The return of Facundo Garcés after his suspension is a boost for Alavés, with Coudet optimistic about his contribution to the team.

A Match to Watch

The clash between Kike García and Toni Martínez promises to be a captivating duel. Kike García, a former Alavés favorite, will be eager to make an impact against his old team, while Toni Martínez has been in excellent form, scoring three goals in his last four matches. Both strikers will have strong support from Roberto and Lucas Boyé.

Stay tuned for live updates, analysis, and the final result of this exciting LaLiga encounter between Espanyol and Alavés!

Source: Marca