Alavés travel to Mallorca without Malian international Moussa Diarra 

Deportivo Alavés will face Mallorca this weekend without defender Moussa Diarra, who has been sidelined by a foot injury.

The setback leaves Eduardo “Chacho” Coudet’s side short in defence, but the Basques received a timely boost with the return of Brazilian winger Calebe, now fit for selection after overcoming a knock in training.

On the eve of the trip to the Balearic Islands, Coudet provided clarity on the squad’s condition, confirming the contrasting fortunes of his players.

Calebe trained normally and he’s been called up; it was just a knock, said the Argentine coach, relieved to regain a creative option in attack. His return is expected to provide Alavés with greater depth in the final third.

By contrast, the absence of Diarra comes as a disappointment for the coaching staff.

The young defender had recently impressed with his composure and reliability on the flanks, adding valuable competition within the squad.

Moussa is not traveling; he has a problem with his foot and he’s the only player we’ll miss, Coudet explained, acknowledging the blow to his team’s defensive stability.

While Alavés look to build momentum, Coudet was quick to warn against underestimating Mallorca, despite their difficult start to the campaign.

They have good players and good footwork. And we’re playing on a difficult pitch, he said. Highlighting the danger posed by a side eager to turn their fortunes around, he added: It will be a very difficult match with an injured opponent, and that’s a double-edged sword. He also praised the expertise of the opposing technical staff, noting their ability to adapt to challenging circumstances.

Within Alavés’ camp, internal competition for places remains fierce.

Coudet admitted that recent performances from his substitutes have given him much to consider when selecting his starting line-up.

They’re making things difficult for me, and what happened the other day has raised doubts in the coach, he revealed, underlining the depth of his squad.

Despite the injury setback and the tough away fixture, Coudet reiterated his commitment to the team’s philosophy.

We’re not going to change. The idea is to be the protagonists and try to impose ourselves and control the pace, he concluded, making clear that Alavés intend to approach the clash with ambition rather than caution.

The match at Son Moix promises to be a stern test for Alavés, who must cope without Diarra’s defensive presence while capitalising on the creative spark of Calebe as they seek points away from home.