The 2017-18 campaign was a season of dramatic mid-season turnaround for Deportivo Alavés as the Babazorros, under the stunning guidance of Abelardo, secured a safe 14th-place finish in La Liga. The season, which started poorly, was completely redefined by a spectacular climb out of the relegation zone and an exciting run to the Copa del Rey Quarter-Finals. Leading the charge was the clinical loan forward Munir El Haddadi, whose 10 league goals (and 14 in all competitions) proved decisive in a campaign built on defensive solidity and renewed ambition. It was a vital year that cemented their place in the top flight and remains a defining chapter of the club's resilience.