Seventy-six days have passed since January 2. Seventy-six days in which everything has changed, little is the same, Atleti and Rayo have nothing to do with those who met on January 2 at the Metropolitano. Rayo arrived as one of the revelations of LaLiga, 30 points, in 5th place, one above Atleti. An Atleti that was already chaining defeats like never before with Cholo (Mallorca, Madrid, Granada, Seville) who had won in Porto to qualify for the knockout stages of the Champions League but not even that had been a hinge. All the games the same story, fragile Oblak, the defense, crystal, the 1-0, 0-1 and only in the museum. Cholo was facing his tenth anniversary on the bench, on January 7, 2012 at La Rosaleda it was the first time, with his Atleti less cholista than ever.
But two months and 17 days later it has recovered its essence (follow the match live on AS.com). He lands in Vallecas after flying in Manchester, beating United, hitting rock bottom against Levante on February 16, only to push himself up. The 18th was that famous meeting on the Hill. On the 18th, Miguel Ángel Gil, CEO, said those words: “Forget the past. Ahead, a League of 14 (the games that were missing for the end). That’s LaLiga”. A League in which, since then, Atleti counts the matches only by victories. Osasuna, Celta, Betis and Cadiz. Regained his place in the table, among the first four, those places that give access to the next Champions League, he has also done so on the pitch. With the entry of players who did not seem to count (Lodi, Herrera…), with the arrival of a winter signing that seems steeped in cholism, Reinildowith the recovery of that couple, Savic-Giménez, to embrace that lost: solidity.
Falcao and Carrasco, low
El Rayo, meanwhile, with the defeat that night on January 2 at the Wanda began a fall. Two and a half months later, he only adds two points more than those 30 with which he started 2022, 13th in the table. No victories yet, in the new year, but with a draw against Sevilla as a plank to hold on to. It was also in Vallecas, with a lawn always in focus. Like the VAR. Last day he annulled a goal and a penalty against Mir with much controversy.
Iraola recovers his starting wingers (Álvaro and Isi), with the good performance of Baby in the last matches sowing the doubt of who will occupy the right flank. Falcao will not be, as neither Saveljich. Yes, he will do it Dimitrievski and the Vallecas stand. A good entry is expected. From a hobby that wants to return to Rayo, with its atmosphere, what it was in the first round: the best venue in Europe.
Simeone, who gives the list today, can rotate. yesterday gave no clues. Kondogbia can return, Herrera can rest, and the Suárez-Correa duo can take over from João-It bites. Carrasco, sanctioned, will not be. In reality, the names do not matter, the group is once again on top now that the League of 14 enters the League of Luis. The one of the last ten days.