December 1st, 2017. Asturian coach Abelardo Fernández, El Pitu, takes the lead of Deportivo Alavés, a humble team of the Spanish soccer First Division, the Liga BBVA. At that moment, Deportivo Alavés is the bottom team of the competition with a poor balance of only 6 points after 13 matches, with 2 victories, 11 matches lost and 2 coaches fired by their poor results: Luis Zubeldia & Gianni de Biassi. The first words of Abelardo in front of the team were premonitory
“Sure we can leave the relegation. We are going to give the best of us and I’m certain that we are going to do much better. Now I have the privilege of train Deportivo Alaves, I promise a lot of hard word and I trust the squad and in the extraordinary supporters of Deportivo Alavés. I think that we will leave this situation."
Deportivo Alavés supporters, Iraultza 1921.
The first match with Abelardo as coach seemed to be predestined to follow the script of previous occasions. It was the minute 70 of the match and Deportivo Alavés was losing 2-0 against Girona FC and nothing made presage to what it were going to happen. Three goals of Deportivo Alavés in the last 20 minutes gave Abelardo the victory in his debut match. Thereafter, a winning streak playing good, well-organized football got Deportivo Alavés out of relegation.
Today, April 22th of 2018. Deportivo Alavés has just certified its continuity in the elite of Spanish soccer league for the next season, largely thanks to Abelardo. As Abelardo said in its first press conference, with hard work, self-trust and great supporters everything can be achieved!
This is my little tribute to Abelardo and Deportivo Alavés, which in fact is my heart team!
Cheers and hope you like it!