ALFONSO ESPINO NEWS

Training on grass Espino (fracture) was spotted training on grass Friday but is still far away from making a return to action, according to a report from Union Rayo.

Impact The Uruguayan left-back hasn't played since Aug. 31 due to a fracture, but he seems to be trending in the right direction. He's still far from a return to action, however, and his return date remains targeted for late November following the international break.

OCTOBER 25 • ROTOWIRE

Inactive due to injury Espino is out for at least three months as he recovers from a fractured fibula and ankle damage, according to Marcos Romano of As.

Impact Espino could be back in training sessions in December after having the injured fibula repaired through surgery. Therefore, Pep Chavarria is now in charge of covering Espino's tasks on the left side of a back four. The former Cadiz man played 305 minutes across four consecutive matches before this problem, tallying three shots (one on goal), 10 crosses (zero accurate) and 16 tackles (nine won) during that period.

SEPTEMBER 16 • ROTOWIRE

Piles up six tackles Espino took two off target shots, crossed once inaccurately, made two interceptions and six tackles (winning two) during Sunday's 2-1 win over Real Sociedad.

Impact Espino was a part of the Rayo back line that conceded a late consolation goal, leading his team in both interceptions and tackles in the victory. The fullback was a constant fixture in the XI last season and looks set to maintain his role in the new campaign.

AUGUST 18 • ROTOWIRE

Active effort in loss Espino recorded one shot (zero on goal), three crosses (zero accurate) and two chances created in Monday's 3-0 defeat to Girona.

Impact Espino continued to do his best to put his squad in scoring position, as he is now up to nine chances created through the last four games. This marked the fourth time in 24 appearances this season that he recorded at least 40 completed passes. Additionally, this marked the fourth consecutive game with at least three interceptions in a match for Espino.

FEBRUARY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Sets up lone Rayo goal Espino had an assist while taking an off target shot, crossing four times (two accurate), creating four chances and making three interceptions during Monday's 2-1 loss to Sevilla.

Impact Espino set up Isi Palazon in the 29th minute assisting Rayo's lone goal while leading the team in chances created and interceptions. The assist was the fullback's first goal involvement of the season as he has nine crosses, seven chances created and eight interceptions over his last five starts.

FEBRUARY 6 • ROTOWIRE

Suspension served Espino will be an option once again for Friday's match against Osasuna, having served his one-match suspension against Celta Vigo last Monday.

Impact Espino is back as an option for Rayo after having dealt with his suspension. The defender should now return to the starting XI, as he only has missed a start once all season, with that being due to his accumulation of five yellow cards. With Espino returning and most likely starting at left-back, expect Pep Chavarria to move back to the bench.

DECEMBER 14, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up fifth yellow card Espino picked up his fifth yellow card in Saturday's 4-0 loss to Athletic Bilbao and will be suspended for the match against Celta Vigo on Dec. 11.

Impact Espino was booked in each of Rayo's last two matches, and the fifth yellow card means he will miss the home matchup against Celta de Vigo. His absence will create a void on the defensive line, as Espino has been ever-present in Rayo's starting lineup this season. Pep Chavarria should get the nod at left-back against Celta, but Espino should be eligible to return against Osasuna on Dec. 15.

DECEMBER 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Own goal in defeat Pacha Espino generated an own goal, one shot (zero on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Saturday's 4-0 loss against Athletic. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 32...

Impact Espino had the misfortune of scoring an own goal as a cross by Inaki Williams deflected off him and went to the back of the net. The left-back ended the game with a similar defensive impact as he did in his previous matchup, repeating his four tackles performance.

DECEMBER 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Two-way impact in stalemate Pacha Espino recorded one shot (zero on goal), two crosses (one accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 1-1 draw versus Barcelona. In addition, he was given a yellow card in...

Impact Espino has missed a total of 20 minutes for Rayo this season and has been dependable at the back with with multiple tackles in all but three games. He created a chance for the fifth consecutive match and will continue to be relied upon to aid the attack and solidify the back line.

NOVEMBER 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Consistent minutes Espino has played every minutes in four-out-of-five matches before the November international break.

Impact Espino has one of the most secure roles in La Liga and is slowing no signs of slowing down. The left-back likes to get forward and does his defensive duties well, piling on major volume in all areas of the match. Espino is still looking for his first goal contribution of the season.

NOVEMBER 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Sends in three crosses Espino crossed three times inaccurately and created a chance during Monday's 2-0 win over Granada.

Impact Espino was a part of the Rayo back four that kept their second clean sheet in as many matches to start the new season. The left-back's three crosses were the second most on the team in the match as he's eclipsed 100 crosses and 35 chances created in each of his last two seasons.

AUGUST 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Solid defensively Pacha Espino had one shot (zero on goal) in Friday's 2-0 victory over Almeria.

Impact Pacha Espino made his presence felt early in the match by winning a free kick in the defensive half. The 31-year-old defender went on to commit a couple fouls of his own, before trying a shot that was blocked in the 82nd minute. More importantly, Pacha Espino did his job by collecting two interceptions and helping Rayo Vallecano secure the clean sheet in their first match of the season.

AUGUST 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Signs with Rayo Espino signed with Rayo as a free agent after departing Cadiz.

Impact Espino didn't renew his contract with Cadiz and instead penned a deal with Rayo to stay in the top flight. The defender earned 33 clean sheets across 105 appearances in La Liga while scoring two goals. Espino is a defense-first option who likely won't roam forward too frequently with his new side.

JULY 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Active on both sides of ball Espino took two off target shots, crossed six times (two accurate), created two chances, made three interceptions and four clearances during Wednesday's 2-0 loss to Villarreal.

Impact Espino was a part of the Cadiz back four that conceded twice on Wednesday with the fullback leading his club in crosses, interceptions and clearances in the match. Espino has just one assist since October, but he's been a consistent source of crosses throughout the year having 25 in his past five matches played.

MAY 25, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Assists in home win Pacha Espino assisted once to go with three crosses (zero accurate) and one chance created in Sunday's 2-1 win versus Valencia. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 96th...

Impact Pacha Espino assisted Sergi in the 46th minute to double their lead, helping them earn the home win. The left-back now has four assists in the season so far. He had a good overall performance, leading his side in tackles and interceptions and logging the second-most crosses and clearances.

MAY 2, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Five crosses and clean sheet Pacha Espino recorded one shot (zero on goal), five crosses (one accurate), one chance created and kept a clean sheet in Friday's 0-0 draw versus Espanyol.

Impact Espino had a solid performance on both ends of the pitch Friday. He whipped in five crosses (one accurate) on the attack, to go with one chance created and one off-target shot. Defensively he kept a clean sheet and contributed one won tackle, three interceptions and one clearance in his full 90 minutes of action.

APRIL 23, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Logs six clearances versus Almeria Espino created one chance, sent in two inaccurate crosses and made two tackles (one won), six clearances and one interception during Saturday's 1-1 draw against Almeria.

Impact Espino couldn't bring his usual input on the attacking end this time but had another solid defensive performance, pacing his side in clearances and not letting the opposition create from his flank. With his last appearance on the scoresheet being back in October, the left back has relied much more on his ability to produce on the less glamourous end as of late, with eight tackles, 16 clearances and 10 interceptions over the last four starts.

MARCH 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Keeps clean sheet in win Espino made two clearances, three interceptions and won three of five tackles in Friday's 0-0 draw against Real Sociedad. He also created a chance in the match.

Impact Espino defended well Friday to shut out the third-best team in La Liga this season. He has started 22 of Cadiz's 24 matches at left-back, recording three assists and eight clean sheets in this campaign.

MARCH 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Available against Rayo Espino is set to return from a one-match ban before Saturday's clash with Rayo.

Impact Espino picked up the ban for yellow card accumulation and is now set to return to the starting XI. The defender has been a consistent piece of the first team when fully fit and available.

FEBRUARY 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up fifth yellow card Pacha Espino registered one cross (zero accurate) and two chances created in Friday's 2-0 victory over Girona. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 38th minute.

Impact Espino had a quiet outing with little production in match Friday. He did receive his fifth yellow card of the year and will be suspended against first place Barcelona next Sunday. He will be able to return on Feb 25 versus Rayo Vallecano

FEBRUARY 10, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Six crosses Monday Pacha Espino registered one shot (zero on goal), six crosses (two accurate) and two chances created in Monday's 1-1 draw against Elche.

Impact Espino sent in six crosses and created a pair of chances from left-back. The defender has already tied his previous career-high of three assists, though he has yet to score yet. Espino is showing a strong level and could approach 10 goal contributions if he can builds on this floor in the back half of the season.

JANUARY 16, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Makes six clearances Espino blocked a shot and made six clearances during Friday's 1-0 win over Valencia.

Impact Espino was a part of the the Cadiz back four that kept a clean sheet on Friday. The full-back made six clearances in the match, the third most on the team, while helping Cadiz to his fourth clean sheet during his time on the pitch.

JANUARY 6, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Assists twice on Saturday Espino had two assists from two chances created while taking one shot (on goal) and crossing once inaccurately during Saturday's 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid.

Impact Espino set up Theo Bongonda in the first minute of the match before assisting Alex in the 81st to set up Cadiz's first two goals. The assists upped the full-back's season total to a team-high three as he's set up more goals than the rest of his teammates combined through Saturday's match.

OCTOBER 29, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Creates one chance as sub Espino registered one off-target shot, one chance created, one tackle (won), one interception, one clearance and one block in 17 minutes during Wednesday's 0-0 draw to Betis.

Impact Espino subbed on in the 73rd minute and did well during his limited time in the field. The left-back had started in their prior nine games, and that was his first appearance off bench in the season. He logged one assist over that span.

OCTOBER 20, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Records assist Espino logged one assist during a 2-2 draw against Espanyol on Sunday.

Impact Espino logged one accurate cross, which was aimed low yet sufficient enough for teammate Lucas Perez to score. The assist is Espino's first since March 11 earlier this year.

OCTOBER 11, 2022 • ROTOWIRE