Facundo Pellistri is making steady progress out on loan at Alaves.
The Manchester United loanee made his first start last night in La Liga, following two previous appearances as a substitute.
Pellistri got 65 minutes before being substituted, and it was not a great decision on Alaves’ part.
Alaves took a 2-0 lead away against Real Betis into half-time. The home side pulled a goal back in the 61st minute, and then Alaves made a double change, with Pellistri coming off.
Without Pellistri on the pitch, Alaves crumbled late on, conceding two late goals to succumb to a 3-2 defeat.
There might not have been anything Pellistri could have done to stop a late collapse, but it reflects well on him that he wasn’t involved when his teammates let the points slip from their grasp.
How did Pellistri get on?
Pellistri played out on the right wing as Alaves lined up in a 4-4-2 formation.
He did not have a lot of possession, but used the ball well when he saw it, completing 100 per cent of his passes.
Pellistri was fouled twice, and chipped in defensively, making one interception and winning one header.
He also had one chance to score, but saw his effort on goal saved by the goalkeeper.
Small steps
Pellistri, 19, is playing football in his third country in the space of six months.
This was always going to be a challenging loan for him, playing for relegation battlers, and progress is measured by him simply getting game time and picking up experience.
To make his first start signifies progress, that the coaching staff are beginning to trust him.
Perhaps they need to trust him a little more. Alaves were winning while Pellistri was on the pitch, and fell to defeat after taking him off. They may be regretting that decision this morning.
They now sit in 19th place in La Liga. Next game is against 15th placed Cadiz on Saturday. It might be a good idea to give Pellistri the full 90 minutes.
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