Ville Koski, a Finnish player, has earned a spot as a vital piece in Quique Sánchez Flores' defensive setup. He has moved from being the last option in defence to becoming one of the three players who have been starters in all games this season, alongside Tenaglia and Rebbach. Koski's performance has contributed to Alavés' qualitative improvement in the defensive aspect.
Koski joined Alavés in the winter transfer market to reinforce a defence weakened by a lack of players. He arrived injured and didn't make his first start until the penultimate match against Barcelona. Despite not having enough minutes initially, Koski put in a strong performance against the league champions and has since been an integral part of the starting lineup. He played a key role in Alavés' two wins that secured their place in the league last season and is continuing to do so this season. Koski's presence has added consistency to Alavés' defence.
Koski's strength in aerial duels makes him a valuable asset for Quique, who is not short of options in the defensive department. The Finnish player also adapts well to the 5-3-2 formation that Quique has employed in most matches, supported by two other centre-backs. With Koski in the starting lineup, Alavés has kept their goal intact 50% of the time. In five out of the ten matches where Koski has started, Alavés has not conceded any goals.