Luca takes over the goal

If Montilivi has become the place where Rayo would like to dwell, the Cup has embodied Luca’s redemption. The French goalkeeper began the season in the starting eleven, a reward for the extraordinary playoff set just a few weeks earlier. However, that reunion with Primera, a category in which he had played two games with the Real Madrid shirt, It turned out to be bitter since after fifteen minutes —the result of a bad start— he committed a penalty on Idrissi and was sent off. Since then, Dimitrievski appropriated the league title, had it in 17 of the 18 days he played and kept a clean sheet up to six times.

The arrival of the Cup was a new opportunity and Luca, as he had already shown the previous season, knew how to take advantage of it. It was decisive against Guijuelo (1-1), given that the match ended up being decided on penalties, where it grew. Luca stopped Cristóbal last and Sergi Guardiola sealed the pass to the next round. There the Strip did not need extra time or penalties, although it cost more than the result outlines (1-3) to knock down Bergantiños. His solvency, together with the COVID outbreak, opened the doors for him to start in the League in one of the great First stages: the Metropolitan.

He was not daunted. Neither the rival, nor the chants from the stands for his Real Madrid past, made him nervous. Luca was correct, despite the defeat (2-0). The goalkeeper complied and earned the right to continue in the eleven cupbearer —first with Mirandés and later, with Girona— and in between, in the league —Betis—. In Miranda it was the wall against which the locals crashed when they tried to equalize Andrés’ goal (0-1) and in Montilivi he shone with a repertoire of great saves, which culminated in the penalty released by Stuani. The Frenchman guessed it and stopped him. Rayo is still alive in the KO tournament thanks to his reflexes and the effectiveness of Sergi Guardiola (1-2). “I had faith that he would stop it,” the striker confessed, to which Iraola added: “It was decisive.”

In the middle of both appointments, was Betis. Luca repeated and there was no trace of Dimitrievski in the call. The reason was some discomfort in the hamstrings, as confirmed by the rayista technician. The Frenchman successfully solved rival chances and Everything indicates that he will be under the sticks again next Sunday against Athletic (Vallecas, 6:30 p.m.). That would be his fifth straight start. Iraola has two good options for the goal because, despite the national and international siren songs, the intention of the Madrid club is that twill continue. Two men and one destiny, two great goalkeepers and a dilemma. A headache for the technician…