Isi Palazón, the star that guides Rayo on his way to Primera

The path that goes from the Second Division to the First Division is one of the most arduous that exists. Fortunately, Rayo has found the star who can guide him to the top flight of Spanish football: Isi Palazón. The Murcian winger is being one of the great sensations of the start of LaLiga SmartBank. The '7' franjirrojo has played as a starter the six games played so far, participating in four of the eight goals scored by Andoni Iraola's team. The objective is clear. “We want to ascend”, said the one from Cieza in a statement offered by the Vallecano club, after the footballer has been chosen by the fans as the player of the month for September.

However, Isi's adaptation to the Lightning was not as fast as expected. The Murcian winger was signed in the winter market of the 2019-20 campaign to replace Adrián Embarba, transferred to a Espanyol who was then seeking to remain in the First Division. The ciezano arrived from Ponferradina with the difficult mission of supplying a footballer who was the top assistant in the category, he had a nose for goal and was one of the red-haired captains. It cost him. Isi's participation in the Rayo season finale left much to be desired. He only started seven of his 14 league games and scored a single goal.

Now, in just six games played, Isi has struck down his numbers from last season. Accumulate 520 minutes in six games played as a starter, has scored three goals and given an assist. In other words, it has been present in 50% of the goals achieved by La Franja.

In the league premiere against Mallorca, in Son Moix, Isi scored the winning goal from Fran García's pass, another of Rayo's sensations at the start of the season. Later, on matchday two, he was one of those who more danger generated against Sabadell (2-1), crashing a ball on the crossbar and touching both on two other occasions. Already on the fourth date of LaLiga SmartBank, against Málaga, led his team 4-0, scored by means of a penalty that he caused and gave an assist to Pozo. But, without a doubt, his pinnacle work came on Sunday, with a great goal against the leader Espanyol, in the 87th minute, to leave the three points in Vallecas.

“It was a positive start, we have aspects to improve, like all teams, but also room for improvement”, explains the Murcian, who says he feels “close” to the fans every time he plays at home despite having the stadium bleachers empty. “At an individual and collective level, we want to move up”, says an Isi Palazón who has the total confidence of Andoni Iraola. There are no longer doubts about his figure, he is the star that guides the path of Rayo to First.