La Liga 2016-17: Real Madrid 3 - 0 Alaves: 5 Talking Points

#4. Deportivo Alaves prove they belong with the big boys

Mauricio Pelligrino’s men ended the game like they end all their games – dead on their feet. The final score may hurt, but that performance should feel the Basque outfit with great pride.

From minute 1, they set about establishing a full-court full-intensity all-the-time press that would have made the Argentine coach’s much-vaunted compatriot, Marcelo Bielsa, proud. They refused to be fazed by the intimidating atmosphere of the Santiago Bernabeu - and just like Las Palmas did some time back (when they played out a thrilling 3-3 draw with Madrid), they showed that the ‘lesser lights’ of La Liga are no longer going to be bullied about. Sure, Madrid were poor, but the Basques were good, in every area except finishing where they scruffed umpteen chances – none more guilty of that than Deyverson and Alaves’ historic Copa del Rey semifinal hero Edgar Mendez.

They are in 10^th position still and are in prime position to push Espanyol (3 points ahead) and their fellow Basques Eibar and Athletic Bilbao to a European spot, an achievement that would rank among the best this storied league has seen.