Alavs Eibar: Alaves open preseason vs Eibar tonight
Deportivo Alaves kicks off the 2026-27 preseason against SD Eibar in the XXIV Trofeo Villa de Laguardia at 19:00 local time at Campo Municipal Oscar de Marcos in Laguardia. The alavs eibar friendly is Quique Sanchez Flores' first match look at his side, with returnees and academy starters in the XI and a live YouTube stream for fans.
Key Takeaways
- Alaves face Eibar at 19:00 in the XXIV Trofeo Villa de Laguardia in Rioja Alavesa.
- Quique Sanchez Flores starts Owono and Novoa after loans, plus B-team duo Izei and Xanet.
- Captain Tenaglia, Toni Martinez and signing Koski also feature among familiar names.
- Eibar, under Jokin Aranbarri, arrives with mixed fitness news ahead of the Basque friendly.
- Fans can watch live on the official Alaves YouTube channel.
What is happening in the alavs eibar preseason opener?
The ball starts rolling for Deportivo Alaves with its first preseason outing of the summer. The XXIV Trofeo Villa de Laguardia pits the Vitoria-Gasteiz side against Eibar at the Municipal Oscar de Marcos ground.
According to Gasteiz Hoy, supporters who cannot travel to Laguardia can follow the match live on the club's official YouTube channel. For more sports and digital-era coverage angles, see Future Tech & AI Wonders on BlasterPost.
Diario de Noticias de Alava frames the fixture as the first competitive test of Flores' early work at Ibaia, and a chance to show early signs of the 2026-27 project.
Why do the Alaves lineup changes matter?
Flores' first starting XI mixes returning loanees, academy prospects and established figures. Goalkeeper Owono and full-back Novoa return after loan spells, while Alaves B youngsters Izei and Xanet start as players expected to stay in first-team summer plans.
Alongside those novelties, the coach leans on regulars such as captain Nahuel Tenaglia, striker Toni Martinez and new signing Koski, who was already in Vitoria-Gasteiz last season. Noticias de Alava notes the squad still largely retains last season's spine and has so far added Mikel Rodriguez from Real Sociedad B.
Hierarchy names including Antonio Blanco, Antonio Sivera and Lucas Boye are among those expected to build match minutes as Flores rotates and gauges fitness after the first weeks of training.
How is Eibar set up for this Basque friendly?
Eibar also begins a new chapter under coach Jokin Aranbarri. Noticias de Alava lists defensive references Anaitz Arbilla and Juan Bernat, plus Peru Nolaskoain, Jon Bautista and Jon Guruzeta among notable names.
Diario AS reported a day before the game that midfielder Ivan Gil had finally trained at Areitio after rejoining, while Nolaskoain had started jogging with the group. Bernat was working at the same pace as teammates.
AS also said Eibar expected two completely different XIs versus Alaves, with goalkeepers Jonmi Magunagoitia and Luis Lopez unavailable after recent fitness issues, and Jon Guruzeta still short of full match readiness.
What should fans watch beyond the scoreline?
Beyond the result, attention centres on early tactical ideas, how new pieces such as Mikel Rodriguez settle, and how academy players respond. Noticias de Alava flags possible minutes for canteranos including Alvaro Garcia, Olaiz, Ballestero, Diallo, Varona and Izei Hernandez in the Basque derby.
Alaves' stated season priority remains staying in Primera Division. Laguardia is the first public photograph of a project that will keep taking shape through the rest of preseason.