Barcelona, the rival that changed Koski's life

Finnish defender Koski made his debut for Alavés against Barcelona in May and delivered a stellar performance that transformed his season and career at the club.

Ville Koski arrived at Alavés on loan in the winter transfer window but spent his first three months sidelined with injury, playing just 11 minutes. Manager Quique Sánchez Flores made a bold decision to start him in the penultimate match of last season against Barcelona on May 13, a fixture Alavés desperately needed to win to avoid relegation.

Koski's performance was outstanding. Alavés kept a clean sheet—their first in 12 years against Barcelona—and ended the Catalans' run of 56 consecutive matches with a goal. The defensive display was crucial as Alavés secured survival that week, first beating Barcelona and then finishing the job at Oviedo. Koski's impact was so significant that Alavés exercised the permanent option in his loan deal.

Since that Barcelona match, Koski has become indispensable, starting in 12 of the last 13 games. He now faces Barcelona again in a very different context, with all the uncertainty around his future resolved.