RAYO VALLECANO NEWS

Girona beats Rayo Vallecano 3-1 to return to Copa del Rey quarterfinals Girona is making a run for the Copa del Rey title, too

JANUARY 17 • SANDIEGOUNIONTRIBUNE.COM

Girona beats Rayo Vallecano 3-1 to return to Copa del Rey quarterfinals

Girona is making a run for the Copa del Rey title, too

JANUARY 17 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Alvaro Garcia - Back in Copa del Rey Garcia came off the bench during Wednesday's 3-1 loss to Girona in the Copa del Rey.

Impact Garcia missed out against Getafe in La Liga due to an undisclosed issue but was deemed fit to make his return in the cup. When fit Garcia has been one of the most important pieces of the starting XI with four goals and one assist in 17 appearances (16 starts.) Those sort of numbers put him on pace for new highs in goals and goal contributions if he can continue that rate in the second half of the domestic campaign.

JANUARY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Oscar Trejo - Returns off bench Trejo came off the bench for the final 25 minutes of Wednesday's 3-1 loss to Girona.

Impact Trejo missed over a month with the back injury but is finally ready to return, coming off the bench in the Copa del Rey. The midfielder has been a consistent contributor, both in and out of the starting XI and should see major minutes now that he is fit once more. Before the injury Trejo started three of four matches and created seven chances in that span.

JANUARY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Kike Perez - Suspended to face Las Palmas Kike Perez received his fifth yellow card and will be suspended to face Las Palmas on Saturday.

Impact Aside from receiving his fifth yellow card of the campaign, Perez was booked for a third straight contest. However, he hasn't been a regular starter and has been in the XI in just six of his 15 appearances, so his absence shouldn't be a big deal for Rayo. He will be eligible to return against Real Sociedad on Jan. 27.

JANUARY 15 • ROTOWIRE

Alvaro Garcia - Missed match with Getafe Garcia (undisclosed) was not an option for Jan 2 clash against Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Garcia was forced to miss last match with an undisclosed. The good news is the midfielder has an extra week to recover from his injury, which means barring any set backs, the midfielder could be an option for Jan 20 clash with Las Palmas. However if he does not recover in time, then Jorge De Frutos will get the call again in the left midfield for Rayo.

JANUARY 9 • ROTOWIRE

Pathe Ciss - Joining Senegal Ciss is linking up with Senegal for AFCON 2023, and will miss most of January.

Impact Ciss was summoned for AFCON and is now set to depart and link up with Senegal. The midfielder has made 18 appearances (10 starts) in the first half of the season and will be tough to replace. With Ciss out Oscar Valentin will be asked to take an even large role in defensive midfield.

JANUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Bebe - Called up for Cape Verde Bebe was called up for AFCON 2023 with Cape Verde, and will miss most of January.

Impact Bebe will be away for at least a pair of matches at AFCON as he heads off to national team duty. It's possible that he is back as soon as a Jan. 27 trip to Sociedad. That said he could be back during a Jan. 31 trip to Atleti barring a deep knockout stage run.

JANUARY 8 • ROTOWIRE

Greenwood one of three Getafe players sent off in 2-0 loss to Rayo Vallecano in Spanish league

Mason Greenwood has been accused of insulting a referee in the Spanish league and was one of three Getafe players sent off in a 2-0 loss to Rayo Vallecano

JANUARY 2 • ASSOCIATED PRESS

Isi Palazon - Leader in multiple stats Palazon took one shot (on goal), crossed four times (two accurate), created a chance and made three tackles (winning one) during Tuesday's 2-0 win over Getafe.

Impact Palazon was held off the scoresheet but led Rayo in crosses, chances created and tackles in the match. The attacker doesn't have a goal involvement since November 11th, but has crossed 13 times and created four chances in his last three starts.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Ivan Balliu - Makes four clearances Balliu took one shot (on goal), crossed once inaccurately and made four clearances during Tuesday's 2-0 win over Getafe.

Impact Balliu helped Rayo keep a clean sheet as a member of the back four Tuesday. The fullback has crossed four times in his last three starts while also making 15 clearances over the same timeframe.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Stole Dimitrievski - No saves required Dimitrievski kept a clean sheet without making a save during Tuesday's 2-0 win over Getafe.

Impact Dimitrievski had a quiet day at the office as he wasn't forced into a single save during Tuesday's clean sheet. The clean sheet was eighth in 19 league starts for the keeper while his save total remained at 63.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Sergio Camello - Nets brace Tuesday Camello scored two goals while taking three shots (all on goal) and creating a chance during Tuesday's 2-0 win over Getafe.

Impact Camello opened the scoring in first half stoppage time before adding a second goal in the 47th while leading Rayo with three shots in the match. The goals were Camello's first of the season and his first goal involvement since September.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Randy Nteka - Assists as substitute Nteka had an assist with his lone chance created while taking an off target shot during Tuesday's 2-0 win over Getafe.

Impact Nteka entered the match at halftime and set up Sergio Camello in the 47th minute to assist Rayo's second goal. The assist was Nteka's first goal involvement since the opening match of the season as he's made just three starts on the campaign.

JANUARY 2 • ROTOWIRE

Bebe - Delivers eight crosses off bench Bebe had eight crosses (zero accurate) and three corners in Tuesday's 1-0 loss versus Valencia.

Impact Bebe set a new season-high with eight crosses delivered despite playing only 21 minutes off the bench. However, none of these crosses found a mark, as he failed to create a goal-scoring opportunity.

DECEMBER 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Stole Dimitrievski - Concedes once in defeat Dimitrievski recorded two saves and allowed one goal in Tuesday's 1-0 loss versus Valencia.

Impact Dimitrievski was beaten once in the 61st minute by Sergi Canos, which unfortunately ended up being the deciding goal in the contest. Despite the result, the goalkeeper has been in good form having only allowed two goals over the past three games. Next, he'll face off against Getafe, a team with 24 goals in 18 games.

DECEMBER 21, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Kike Perez - Returns to bench Perez generated two crosses (zero accurate) and two interceptions in Tuesday's 1-0 loss versus Valencia. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 70th minute.

Impact Perez fell back to the bench during Tuesday's loss, coming off the bench late in the second half. The midfielder has been in and out of the starting XI, though he has been little more than a depth option more recently. Perez will hope to earn some more consistent minutes during the winter break heading into the second half of the Liga season.

DECEMBER 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ivan Balliu - Sends two crosses in loss Balliu recorded one shot (zero on goal) and two crosses (one accurate) in Friday's 1-0 loss to Osasuna. He also notched seven clearances, two tackles and two interceptions.

Impact Balliu was active on both ends of the pitch, and while most of his contributions came on the defensive end, it's worth noting he also attempted to push the ball forward on the right flank on any chance he got. Balliu has earned most of his value via defensive stats, however, as he has failed to record an assist or a goal in his previous 15 league appearances.

DECEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Raul De Tomas - Takes two shots, can't score De Tomas generated two shots (one on goal) and one chance created in Friday's 1-0 loss to Osasuna.

Impact De Tomas had the task of leading Rayo's attacking line but was unable to do so, and the veteran forward struggled to make a significant impact in the final meters despite tallying two shots and one chance created. He should remain Rayo's main attacking threat, but the fact that he's yet to find the back of the net in the 2023-24 season isn't ideal for his fantasy projections going forward.

DECEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Florian Lejeune - Can't score despite hitting post Lejeune had three shots (one on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and one corner in Friday's 1-0 defeat versus Osasuna.

Impact Lejeune plays as a center-back, but in a game where Rayo's attack was completely anemic, he ended up being the biggest attacking threat and had some clear scoring chances, including a first-half long-range effort that rattled the crossbar. Lejeune has been particularly active on offense despite being a defender and has tallied multiple shots in four of his last five outings.

DECEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Stole Dimitrievski - Can't avoid late defeat Dimitrievski registered three saves and allowed one goal in Friday's 1-0 loss against Osasuna.

Impact Dimitrievski was magnificent during 94 minutes and made some huge saves to keep Osasuna at bay, including a few clutch ones in the second half, but he was unable to deny Raul Garcia, who headed home a cross in the 95th minute to give Osasuna the three points. Despite the loss, Dimitrievski was excellent between the posts, and he should remain in his role when facing Valencia on Tuesday.

DECEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Garcia's injury-time header gives Osasuna win over Rayo Vallecano

Raúl García scored with a header deep into stoppage time to give Osasuna a 1-0 win at home against Rayo Vallecano in the Spanish league

DECEMBER 15, 2023 • ASSOCIATED PRESS