0-1: Luis Rioja seals Valencia's first LaLiga win at Alaves after crisis week

Valencia finally ended their winless start to the LaLiga season with a hard-earned 0-1 victory at Alaves. Luis Rioja, introduced from the bench in the second half, decided the match in the 78th minute with a clever chip against the club he used to represent. The result arrived just two days after the club dismissed head coach Carlos Corberan and executive Ron Gourlay, with new sporting director Braulio Vazquez watching from the stands.

• Valencia earned their first league win of the campaign and virtually climbed out of the relegation zone.
• Luis Rioja scored the only goal in the 78th minute against his former side.
• Interim coach Oscar Sanchez made five changes and handed a debut to 18-year-old midfielder Mayol.
• Alaves lost their perfect home record and conceded their first goal at Mendizorroza this season.
• Javi Guerra produced several driving runs and provided the assist for the winner.

A transformed Valencia from the opening whistle at Mendizorroza

The visitors looked completely different from the team that had struggled throughout the early weeks of the season. Oscar Sanchez, stepping up from the reserve side, made five changes to the starting lineup, handed a debut to young midfielder Mayol and brought Hugo Duro back into the eleven. Valencia played with aggression, energy and a positive approach against an Alaves side that had won all three of their home matches before this meeting.

Valencia had not won at Mendizorroza since 2017, and Alaves' home record suggested another difficult afternoon. Yet the away side controlled the opening stages and created the first clear chance before the quarter-hour mark. Danjuma beat Sivera with a cross-shot after an excellent move by Javi Guerra, but the goal was ruled out for offside. The warning sign was already there.

Alaves grow into the game and test Dimitrievski before the break

After the half-hour mark, Alaves began to find their rhythm and looked increasingly comfortable. Lucas Boye and Toni Martinez tried their luck with wayward efforts, while Angel Perez became the team's most dangerous outlet. Every time the full-back received the ball and prepared to cross, Valencia's defense looked vulnerable.

The clearest chance arrived in first-half stoppage time. Dimitrievski produced an excellent save to deny Angel Perez and then held onto a header from Koski moments later. The goalkeeper kept Valencia level during Alaves' best spell of the night and proved decisive in preventing the home side from taking the lead.

Luis Rioja strikes against his former club to deliver the points

The second half was far less open until Javi Guerra imposed his quality on the match. Oscar Sanchez had introduced Luis Rioja and Otorbi in search of more attacking threat, while Quique Sanchez Flores responded with Mariano and Youssef. The game appeared to be drifting toward a draw when a single moment of class changed everything. Javi Guerra slipped a precise pass through for Luis Rioja, who lifted the ball over Sivera with a delicate chip to make it 0-1.

The goal ended with mixed emotions for the scorer. Rioja felt muscle discomfort during the celebration and had to leave the pitch in tears shortly after. With the lead secured, Valencia managed the final stretch well and Otorbi came close to adding a second after another powerful run from Javi Guerra, but the scoreline remained unchanged.

Javi Guerra and Dimitrievski emerge as the other key figures

Beyond the winning goal, the performance was built on two standout displays. Dimitrievski kept Valencia alive with crucial saves in the first half, while Javi Guerra provided composure, vision and the assist that unlocked the match. The combination of defensive security and creative spark gave Valencia the edge against a confident opponent.

Alaves pushed forward in search of an equalizer during the closing stages but could not find a way through. The defeat ends their perfect home run and means they concede at Mendizorroza for the first time this season.

What this win means for Oscar Sanchez and Valencia's new era

The result carries added weight given the upheaval surrounding the club. Following the dismissals of Corberan and Gourlay, this victory offers breathing room for a project entering a new phase under Braulio Vazquez. Interim coach Oscar Sanchez passed his first test and the squad's response suggested the players have bought into the approach.

The three points also allow Valencia to virtually climb out of the relegation places and restore belief to a group that had been short on confidence for weeks. The calendar offers little time to celebrate, but the display at Mendizorroza provides a template for the battles ahead.

"The team had been really well worked by Corberan," Oscar Sanchez said before the match. On the pitch, Valencia backed up those words with one of their strongest performances of the season.

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