Mariano Díaz Shines as Deportivo Alavés Beat Eibar on Penalties at Villa de Laguardia
Mariano Díaz starred as Deportivo Alavés beat Eibar on penalties at the Villa de Laguardia, sharpening his case for minutes under Quique Sánchez Flores.
Deportivo Alavés prevailed over Eibar in the XXIV Trofeo Villa de Laguardia after a penalty shootout, with Mariano Díaz the standout performer for the Vitoria club. The match finished level in the 90 minutes as Alavés generated the clearest chances in the second half, and the visitors converted the decisive spot-kicks to lift the preseason trophy. Mariano scored in open play, struck the crossbar with a powerful attempt and came close to a second with a one-on-one that grazed the post, leaving a strong impression on the coaching staff.
Alavés win Villa de Laguardia after penalty shootout
The friendly in Laguardia ended level at full time and was decided from the penalty spot as Alavés emerged victorious in the shootout. Quique Sánchez Flores’ side dominated large spells after the break and ultimately reaped the reward when the shootout went their way. The outcome provided a morale boost for the squad and offered the coaching staff tangible positives to assess ahead of the competitive campaign.
Mariano Díaz energizes Alavés attack in second half
Mariano was central to almost every dangerous sequence for Alavés after the interval, combining physical presence with direct running and intelligent movement between defenders. He scored one of his side’s goals, tested the goalkeeper with a fierce strike that hit the crossbar, and nearly added a second when his close-range effort clipped the post. The forward completed the full second half and produced sustained attacking thrusts that were lacking from earlier preseason appearances.
Substitute and starter implications from the performance
Quique Sánchez Flores did not see Alavés dominate in the first half, but the tactical changes at half time altered the balance of play and handed Mariano greater opportunity. The coach afforded him the entire second half and the striker repaid that trust with commitment and clear attacking threat. That display will be reviewed alongside training observations as the manager refines his starting options and rotation plans before the league begins.
Preseason form versus last season’s struggles
Mariano begins this preseason amid questions over his place in the squad after a subdued campaign last year that left the club considering a mutual exit agreement. While he impressed during a previous trial period and forced his way into contention in earlier windows, his performances across the past season fell short of expectations at Vitoria. The club is likely to treat preseason outputs cautiously, but a string of sharp displays like this one could alter internal assessments about his immediate future.
Squad pecking order for the striker positions
Competition in Alavés’ forward line is significant, with Toni Martínez and Lucas Boyé listed as the primary attacking references alongside the likely retention of Mañas. That hierarchy positions Mariano behind at least three alternatives in the coach’s current plans, leaving him as a fringe option unless he convinces the staff during the remaining warm-up fixtures. The shooting and movement shown in Laguardia will be weighed against season-long consistency and tactical fit when final decisions are made.
Managerial selection dilemma ahead of the season
Quique Sánchez Flores faces a familiar selection challenge: balance form, fitness and need for cohesion while preparing a squad able to withstand the demands of league play. Preseason friendlies give managers space to test combinations and reward players who bring intensity and clarity to their roles, but they are not definitive indicators for competitive readiness. The coach must now decide if Mariano’s attacking spark in Laguardia is a sustained development or an isolated bright moment amid a campaign-long sample that was less convincing.
What Alavés require from their attacking options
Alavés will rely on forwards who combine goal threat with intelligent movement, reliable link-up play and the capacity to press from the front when required by Sánchez Flores’ tactical setups. The club needs consistent finishing and an ability to create in tight areas, qualities that have been intermittent among several candidates during recent campaigns. Mariano demonstrated elements of those attributes in the friendly but will need to deliver repeatable output across training and upcoming matches to climb the pecking order.
The wider preseason context gives players a limited runway to change perceptions and secure roles for the season, and Mariano’s performance in Laguardia represents both an opportunity and a test. The coming weeks of preparation and any remaining friendlies will be decisive for the striker as he seeks to convert promising minutes into a sustained place in Quique Sánchez Flores’ plans for the campaign.
