Alaves face Barcelona in must-win relegation decider at Mendizorroza
Synopsis
Barcelona arrive as champions with the luxury of rotation; Alavés arrive as desperate survivors. With Boye injured and Martínez doubtful, the home side face perhaps their most critical 90 minutes of the season. A sold-out Mendizorroza will roar them on, but mathematics and injuries are against them.
Key Takeaways
Deportivo Alavés host FC Barcelona on Wednesday at Mendizorroza Stadium in a La Liga relegation decider.
Alavés sit third from bottom, two points behind 17th-placed RCD Espanyol — a draw or defeat keeps them in the drop zone.
Striker Lucas Boye is out with a hamstring injury; leading scorer Toni Martínez is doubtful with a physical problem.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick plans squad rotation, with Lewandowski , Balde , Bernal , and Bardghji among those set for minutes.
Mendizorroza Stadium has sold out, reflecting the match's existential importance to the home support.
Deportivo Alavés host already-crowned La Liga champions FC Barcelona on Wednesday in a fixture with vastly different stakes: while Barcelona are celebrating a secured title, Alavés are battling relegation in a must-win encounter at Mendizorroza Stadium. The home side sit third from bottom, two points adrift of safety, meaning anything less than three points could confirm their drop into the second tier.
Alaves' injury crisis deepens the challenge
Alavés face a personnel crisis ahead of the contest. Striker Lucas Boye is ruled out with a hamstring injury, while leading scorer Toni Martinez remains doubtful after sustaining a physical problem during the weekend draw against Elche. The absence of both attacking options significantly weakens their offensive threat against a defensive unit that, while rotation-heavy, still carries the pedigree of a title-winning side.
Barcelona poised for squad rotation
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick is expected to shuffle his lineup after clinching the championship. Players including Robert Lewandowski, Alejandro Balde, Marc Bernal, and Roony Bardghji — a mix of established performers and emerging talents — could feature in the starting eleven, offering fringe players valuable minutes in a competitive fixture.
The broader relegation picture
The match is part of a wider survival drama across La Liga. Villarreal CF, already assured of Champions League football next season, host Sevilla FC, who sit only three points above Alavés and remain in the relegation mire. Elsewhere, RCD Mallorca — one point behind Sevilla — travel to face Getafe CF, who are themselves chasing UEFA Conference League qualification. RCD Espanyol, winless in their last 18 league matches since December, face Athletic Club, who continue to pursue a top-seven finish.
Sold-out Mendizorroza signals the stakes
The fact that Mendizorroza Stadium has sold out underscores how critical this match is for Alavés supporters. A draw or defeat leaves the Basque side trapped in the drop zone, making victory not merely desirable but existential. Barcelona's title-clinching allows them the luxury of rotation; Alavés have no such comfort.
Point of View
But noise does not stop goals. This feels less like a match and more like a verdict.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Alavés vs Barcelona match so critical?
Alavés sit third from bottom, two points behind the safety line. A draw or defeat leaves them in the relegation zone; only a win gives them a realistic chance of survival. Barcelona have already won the title, but Alavés are fighting for their La Liga status.
Who is unavailable for Alavés?
Striker Lucas Boye is ruled out with a hamstring injury. Leading scorer Toni Martínez is doubtful after picking up a physical problem during the weekend draw against Elche . Both absences weaken Alavés' attacking options significantly.
Will Barcelona field their strongest XI?
No. Barcelona coach Hansi Flick is expected to rotate the squad after securing the title. Players such as Robert Lewandowski , Alejandro Balde , Marc Bernal , and Roony Bardghji could start, offering fringe players competitive minutes.
What is the wider La Liga relegation picture?
Sevilla sit three points above Alavés and are not yet safe. Mallorca are one point behind Sevilla . Espanyol , winless in 18 league games since December, also remain in danger. The bottom of La Liga remains tightly bunched.
