This season, Olympique Lyonnais found happiness with Juventus in order to strengthen their attack. Indeed, Loïs Openda came to fill the ranks. Last year, it was Endrick who was loaned for six months by Real Madrid. A club which also transferred Mariano Diaz between Rhône and Saône during the 2017-18 financial year. A year during which he scored 21 goals and delivered 6 assists in 45 appearances in all competitions. Courted by Sevilla FC, the striker finally returned to Madrid, who had exercised his buyout clause at the request of the coach at the time, Julen Lopetegui.
But his return to Casa Blanca was not a complete success. Mariano Diaz didn’t play much during his second stint in the Spanish capital. Pushed towards the exit several times, he clung to his contract. Finally, he left the club permanently in 2023. He joined Sevilla FC, where he did not really give satisfaction during his 319 minutes spent on the field (13 appearances, 1 assist). After a year without playing, he returned to service at Deportivo Alavés in 2025. A club with which he scored 3 goals and gave 1 assist in 12 appearances (420 minutes of play). Which wasn’t great.
Mariano full throttle
But this 2026-27 season, the Dominican seems to be returning to form and his best level. In 4 appearances (168 minutes of play), he has already found the net 3 times. In detail, he scored against Getafe, before continuing against Rayo Vallecano and Osasuna. He also put on his decisive passer costume. Indeed, he delivered two assists against Getafe and one yesterday against Osasuna. He has therefore been involved in 6 of the 10 goals scored by his team since the start of this new exercise. He is currently one of the most decisive players in La Liga with Raphinha (Barça, involved in 7 goals) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (La Coruna, involved in 6 goals)
In Spain, this return to grace pleases the press, whose A.S.. “First start and a goal. What more could you ask for? It seems that Sánchez Flores has put him back on the straight and narrow.” Quique Sanchez Flores congratulated him as did the rest of his offensive players: “I’m really happy when our attackers score. It’s important that players like Toni Martínez, Mariano, Boyé and Mañas contribute to the goals because we rely on them a lot. They have strong personalities and we know they will perform well. That’s why we play with two attackers.” Currently second in La Liga, Alavés can count on a Mariano Diaz in full swing. His passing times are already well above those of recent seasons.
