Deportivo Alaves 1-1 Villarreal Player Ratings: Nicolas Pepe Equalises for Visitors after Rafa Marin's Own Goal | La Liga

An end-to-end encounter at Estadio de Mendizorroza saw Deportivo Alavés and Villarreal CF settle for a 1-1 draw in an intense La Liga clash on Saturday.

The Spanish league match was defined more by aggressiveness than attacking flair, with frequent fouls disrupting the rhythm and preventing either side from establishing sustained momentum. Both teams showed resilience and defensive discipline in a game where every ball was fiercely contested.

Deportivo Alaves took the lead in unfortunate circumstances just before halftime. Villarreal defender Rafa Marín inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, handing the hosts a surprising advantage. The own goal came against the run of play and left Villarreal frustrated heading into the break.

However, Villarreal returned for the second half with renewed determination. The visitors increased the pressure and pushed higher up the pitch in search of an equalizer. Their persistence eventually paid off when Nicolas Pepe produced a decisive moment, finding the net to level the score and secure a valuable point for the visitors.

Pépé’s performance stood out in an otherwise scrappy contest, and he was widely considered the most influential player on the pitch. His goal capped a strong display and will likely see him rank highly in Deportivo Alavés vs Villarreal player ratings following the match.

Key Takeaways

1. Rafa Marín scored an unfortunate own goal in the 45th minute to give Deportivo Alavés the lead against Villarreal CF.
2. Villarreal CF increased the pressure and controlled much of the second half in the La Liga clash.
3. Nicolas Pépé scored the equalizer to secure a 1–1 draw for Villarreal.

Deportivo Alaves Player Ratings vs Villarreal

Check out Deportivo Alaves player ratings from the match against Villarreal:

Goalkeeper

Antonio Sivera - 6.5: Pulled off some important saves, especially a couple inside the box that kept his team in it. However, his distribution was quite poor, with less than half his passes finding a teammate. He was let down by an own goal for the concession but picked up a booking for his troubles.

Defenders

Nahuel Tenaglia - 7.0: A really solid outing from the defender. We noticed his excellent reading of the game, racking up five interceptions which is no small feat. He was a steady presence until he was forced off with an injury late in the game. A shame to see his strong performance cut short.

Jonny Otto - 6.5: A quiet but effective game. He was very tidy in possession, keeping things simple and moving the ball with high accuracy. Defensively, he was sound, though he didn't offer a great deal going forward. Did his job without any fuss.

Victor Parada - 6.5: What stood out to us was his commitment in the duels, winning a majority of his battles. He made some key clearances but also looked a bit clumsy at times, committing a couple of fouls. A mixed performance but he put in a real shift.

Youssef Enríquez - 6.5: The midfielder-turned-defender had an energetic game, not afraid to get forward. However, he lost possession a bit too often for our liking. The yellow card he picked up felt unnecessary and put him on a tightrope for the rest of his time on the pitch.

Midfielders

Ángel Pérez - 6.5: He ran his socks off, there's no denying that. The effort was there for all to see, but he just struggled to impose himself on the game. He was involved in the build-up but lacked that final, decisive contribution in the final third.

Antonio Blanco - 7.0: The captain was at the heart of everything for Alavés. He was combative, breaking up play and winning the ball back. He also showed his experience by drawing fouls to relieve pressure. A proper leader's display in the middle of the park.

Pablo Ibáñez - 6.5: A workhorse performance from Ibáñez. He was a nuisance for the opposition, constantly pressing and drawing an impressive four fouls. His energy was commendable, but his final product was sometimes lacking when he got into good positions.

Carles Aleñá - 6.5: We could see he was trying to be the creative spark, looking for pockets of space. He managed one key pass but was largely crowded out by a disciplined Villarreal midfield. It wasn't a surprise to see him subbed off as he began to fade.

Forwards

Toni Martínez - 7.5: What a physical presence he was. He absolutely dominated in the air, winning an incredible eight aerial duels. He was a constant thorn in the side of the Villarreal defence, holding the ball up and bringing others into play. A classic, battling centre-forward performance.

Lucas Boyé - 5.5: A really tough night for the attacker, and from our perspective, one of his worst performances. He lost possession a staggering 21 times and his decision-making was poor, committing four fouls and picking up a deserved yellow. He just couldn't get into the game.

Substitutes

Jon Guridi, Ville Koski, Abde Rebbach, Carlos Ballestero: The substitutes came on to add fresh legs and see the game out. They did their jobs but didn't have enough time or opportunity to make a significant impact on the result.

Manager

E. Sánchez Flores - 6.5: His game plan was clear: be compact, be aggressive, and frustrate Villarreal. It worked perfectly for the first hour, and he was helped by a lucky own goal. However, his side couldn't hold on and ultimately failed to create enough clear-cut chances to win the game outright.

Villarreal Player Ratings vs Deportivo Alaves

Here are Villarreal player ratings from the La Liga clash:

Goalkeeper

Luiz Júnior - 6.5: A very quiet evening for the goalkeeper. He had no chance with the own goal and wasn't forced into a single difficult save throughout the match. His distribution was decent, and he commanded his area when needed. An easy day at the office.

Defenders

Rafa Marín - 5.5: A night to forget for the young defender. The own goal was incredibly unlucky, a moment that will haunt him. Aside from that, he made eight clearances but also lost five aerial duels. It was a performance defined by one unfortunate moment.

Pau Navarro - 7.0: Alongside the chaos, Navarro was an island of calm. He was superb with the ball, boasting a 94% pass accuracy. He also made a crucial last-man tackle, showing his composure and reading of the game. A very impressive display.

Santiago Mouriño - 7.0: A strong and commanding performance from Mouriño. He was dominant in his duels and made five important clearances to snuff out danger. He provided a solid defensive platform that allowed his team to push for the equalizer.

Sergi Cardona - 6.0: It just wasn't his day. He missed a great chance from a header in the first half which he should have buried. He picked up a yellow card and was substituted before the hour mark. A performance he'll want to move on from quickly.

Midfielders

Santi Comesaña - 7.5: He was the engine in Villarreal's midfield. His passing was crisp, and he provided the assist for the equalizer. He was a constant threat, though he will be kicking himself for missing two big chances. A great performance, even if his finishing was a bit off.

Tajon Buchanan - 6.0: We barely noticed him on the pitch, which is never a good sign. He was completely anonymous, struggling to get involved in the play. He only had 15 touches before being rightly substituted early in the second half.

Pape Gueye - 6.5: A real physical battle in midfield for Gueye. He won a remarkable eight duels and was a disruptive force. However, his passing was erratic at times, and he lost possession more than he would have liked.

Alfonso Pedraza - 7.0: The captain put in a tireless shift. His defensive work was immense, recovering the ball an incredible ten times. He led by example with his tenacity and work rate, driving his team forward even when things weren't going their way.

Forwards

Georges Mikautadze - 7.0: He looked lively and dangerous throughout. He got into some great positions and had a few shots, but his finishing touch just eluded him. He was a constant menace but will be disappointed not to get on the scoresheet.

Nicolas Pépé - 8.0: The highest-rated player and our man of the match. He was the difference-maker for Villarreal. He scored the vital equalizing goal and was a creative force, always looking to make something happen. When his team needed him, he delivered. A top-class performance.

Substitutes

Gerard Moreno, Alberto Moleiro, Thomas Partey, Alexander Freeman, Tani Oluwaseyi: The changes made a difference, adding more attacking impetus. The fresh legs helped Villarreal pin Alavés back and eventually find the crucial goal.

Manager

M. García Toral - 7.0: He can be pleased with his team's response after going behind. His substitutions were positive and changed the flow of the game in his team's favour. He saw his side were second-best and made the right calls to salvage a valuable away point.

Man of the Match

Sportsdunia's player of the match was Nicolas Pepe.

Worst Performer

Lucas Boyé had a forgettable outing.