Rayo Vallecano faces one of the most important games of this first third of the season. Andoni Iraola’s men are having a start above expectations and are marching in the European zone supported by an impressive performance at home. Precisely, the Vallecas Stadium will be the one that will host this match against Barcelona. With the team launched, the stands await an ambush for a wounded giant. Rayo was on the brink of a comeback on their last matchday when they lost 3-2 against Real Betis.
A wounded giant is, to say the least, dangerous. Iraola’s men cannot be trusted against Ronald Koeman’s pupils, who after losing El Clásico, arrive touched and with a pressing need to add to enter the fight for Europe and for LaLiga.
Possible eleven for Rayo Vallecano-Barcelona
Unknown
Both coaches will bet on a 4-2-3-1. From the visiting bench, Koeman will not be able to save anything for this meeting. In goal he will line up Ter Stegen and repeat the defense of El Clásico with Dest this time going down to the right side. Piqué and Eric García will be central and Jordi Alba will take charge of the left lane.
In the middle, Busquets and Nico will be in the engine room with Gavi as a ‘fake’ band leaving the entire lane for Dest. Coutinho will also support the creation and will seek the goal from the hook role. The task of beating the tough Vallecana defense (only 2 goals conceded at home) will be for Memphis and Kun Agüero, who will play their first game as a starter.
At Rayo Vallecano, it seems that Iraola will maintain confidence in Baillu despite the penalty committed in Seville. In defense, Saveljich, Catena and Fran García will accompany him. They will be the four in charge of protecting Stole Dimitrievski.
In the double pivot, Óscar Valentín appears as a tireless worker both in defense and in recovery. Next to him he will have Santi Comesaña who will try to put together the play so that the line of three in front of him does magic. In lane 10, although with 8, Óscar Trejo will appear. The Argentine, who borders on the outstanding this season, will have the ‘knives’ at his sides: Álvaro García and Isi, who already know what it is to score in Vallecas this season. Above, the big star, Radamel Falcao. El Tigre will be the main threat to Ter Stegen. With little, the Colombian is capable of doing damage and this Ray usually generates several per game.