Okay, so yesterday I got this itch to dig into the whole history between Deportivo Alavés and FC Barcelona – you know, like how these two teams have tangled over the years. Figured I’d map out every single clash properly instead of just skimming headlines like usual.
Where I Started
First thing? I hauled out my laptop, brewed some coffee, and just started dumping whatever match details I remembered into a messy spreadsheet. Those recent Barça wins? Easy. But then stuff like that wild 2000 UEFA Cup semi-final final where Alavés upset them 4-3? Total brain scramble trying to recall exact dates.
The Headache Phase
Man, tracking down pre-2000 matches was brutal. Early league tables are scattered everywhere. Wasted hours cross-referencing forums, old news snippets, and three different stat sites before hitting paydirt on a niche football archive. Found out their first ever meeting was way back in October 1931 – Barça won 3-1 obviously. Who knew?
Building the Timeline
Organized it chronologically from oldest to newest. Broke it into chunks:
- Early Madness (1931-1956): Mostly Barça domination but surprise Alavés wins sprinkled in
- That UEFA Run (1998-2003): Highlighted that bonkers semi-final with yellow cards flying everywhere
- Modern Battles (2016-today): Added recent relegation/promotion drama plus Messi’s demolition jobs
Made sure to tag Copa del Rey games differently too since those knockouts get spicy.
Final Touches
Tallied the totals at the bottom – no shocker there. Barça’s won like 75% of these matchups. Added head-to-head tables per decade because visuals help. Double-checked every damn date against ref books till my eyes crossed.
Honestly? Got way too invested. My wife called me obsessive when I yelled “Got it!” at 1AM finding that obscure 1947 draw score. Worth it though. Now if anyone asks about this rivalry? I’ve got receipts.