Overview
The only time Alaves participated in the Copa del Rey final was in the 2016-2017 season, when they faced Barcelona and suffered a 1-3 defeat to the Catalan team.
Therefore, the blue and white team is aiming to make history this season, with the goal of winning the first Copa del Rey title in history. Alaves has made an impression at Copa del Rey 2025-2026 when winning 4 consecutive matches to advance to this stage.
Specifically, Eduardo Coudet's team successively surpassed Deportivo Getxo, Portugalete, Sevilla and Rayo Vallecano to win tickets to the quarterfinals.
Alaves entered this match after an encouraging result in La Liga, when they defeated Espanyol 2-1 to have their second consecutive victory in the highest league in Spain.
The Basque team is currently ranked 10th in the La Liga standings, only 3 points behind Real Sociedad in eighth place, promising to create an exciting match in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals.
In the opposite direction, Real Sociedad entered this match after a 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao in the Basque derby, although they were very close to winning all 3 points.
Pellegrino Matarazzo's team led 1-0 until the 88th minute, before Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta scored the equalizer. Real Sociedad is also currently unbeaten in the last 8 matches in all competitions, from December 12, 2025.
As mentioned, Real Sociedad is ranked eighth in La Liga, 6 points behind sixth-placed Espanyol, and they aim to win the Copa del Rey for the third time in history this season.
Real Sociedad have been crowned champions in the 1986-1987 and 2019-2020 seasons, and also participated in 4 other finals. However, in general, their achievements in this arena are still considered not commensurate with the stature of the club.
Notably, Real Sociedad has lost all three of their most recent encounters with Alaves, including a 0-1 defeat when the two teams met in La Liga in December last year.
Personnel situation
Alaves still cannot use Nikola Maras due to a long-term knee injury, while Denis Suarez has muscle problems and is likely to be absent.
Toni Martinez and Lucas Boye played very prominently in attack in the victory against Espanyol, and both are likely to continue to be present in the home team's attacking trio.
However, Alaves is expected to make some adjustments in other positions. Yusi may be arranged to play left-back, while Jon Guridi and Abde Rebbach also have the opportunity to start.
In the opposite direction, Real Sociedad will not have the services of Ander Barrentxea, Takefusa Kubo, Arsen Zakharyan, Inaki Ruperez and Unai Marrero due to injury.
Duje Caleta-Car will return to the squad after serving his suspension in the draw against Athletic Bilbao last weekend. However, Brais Mendez was banned from playing due to receiving a red card in the Basque derby.
Coach Pellegrino Matarazzo is likely to keep most of the squad that played against Athletic Bilbao, but Orri Oskarsson may be given opportunities in attack.
Expected lineup:
Fernandez, Tenaglia, Protesoni, Pacheco, Yusi, Calebe, Guridi, Guevara, Rebbach, Martinez, Boye.
Real Sociedad: Remiro, Aramburu, Martin, Zubeldia, Gomez, Guedes, Gorrotxategi, Soler, Marin, Oskarrson, Oyarzabal.
The match between Alaves and Real Sociedad takes place at 3:00 AM on February 5th (Vietnam time).
