RAYO VALLECANO NEWS

Falcao - Still dealing with injury Falcao (undisclosed) is still recovering and will be a late call for Saturday's match against Getafe, per manager Inigo Perez.

Impact Falcao had to sit out last match with an undisclosed injury and is at risk of missing another one. He's strictly maintained a bench role for Rayo with all 16 appearances coming as a sub. This has resulted in just one goal, logging in a total of nine goals in three campaigns with the side since 2021.

APRIL 12 • ROTOWIRE

Alvaro Garcia - Still dealing with injury Garcia (hamstring) is still recovering from injury and is a few more weeks away from returning, confirmed manager Inigo Perez. "Alvaro's case is a muscle injury. I am not a doctor,...

Impact Garcia is expected to miss another three weeks following his hamstring injury at the end of March. He had started the last nine matches played in a row in the attacking midfield, scoring twice with 37 crosses (12 accurate) and 12 chances created in that span. His absence means that Pep Chavarria would get the call to start in the attacking midfield, alongside Jorge De Frutos and Isi Palazon.

APRIL 12 • ROTOWIRE

Ivan Balliu - Attempts four crosses Balliu registered four crosses (one accurate) and one clearance in Sunday's 0-0 draw versus Celta Vigo.

Impact Balliu attempted to influence the match from the flanks, whipping in four crosses (one accurate) in Rayo Vallecano's 0-0 draw with Celta Vigo on Sunday. On the campaign, Balliu has crossed the ball into the box with less frequency (2.15 crosses per appearance in 2023-2024; 2.84 crosses per appearance in 2022-2023). However, Balliu has been more clinical with his crossing attempts, completing 24% of his crosses in 2023-2024 in comparison to his rate of 20% accurate crosses in 2022-2023.

APRIL 1 • ROTOWIRE

Óscar Valentín - Strong defensive performance Oscar Valentin registered six tackles (three won), one clearance and five interceptions in Sunday's 0-0 draw versus Celta Vigo.

Impact Valentin's performance was integral to Ray Vallecano earning a point from their 0-0 draw with Celta Vigo on Sunday. Valentin has been fully restored to the starting XI since serving a one-match ban for yellow card accumulation. He had started and made a significant impact in the holding-midfielder role in the two matches since his return, accumulating 14 tackles (nine won), eight interceptions, five clearances and two blocks. While Valentin is a stalwart defender in the midfield, his one goal in 96 career La Liga appearances show that he does not offer much in terms of an attacking threat.

APRIL 1 • ROTOWIRE

Pathe Ciss - Imperative in clean sheet effort Ciss had two tackles (two won), five clearances and two interceptions in Sunday's 0-0 draw versus Celta Vigo. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 44th minute.

Impact Ciss played his part to stymie the Celta Vigo attack during Ray Vallecano's 0-0 draw Sunday. He also recorded one block, adding to his aforementioned defensive production. Ciss was included in the starting XI for just the second time in Rayo Vallecano's previous five matches. Over that span, he's created a chance, made seven tackles (five won), two interceptions and 10 clearances.

APRIL 1 • ROTOWIRE

Stole Dimitrievski - Effortless clean sheet Dimitrievski recorded no saves and allowed zero goals in Sunday's 0-0 draw against Celta Vigo.

Impact Dimitrievski did not face a single shot on target as Rayo Vallecano shared the points Sunday with Celta Vigo following the 0-0 draw. The clean sheet was Dimitrievski second successive. Remarkably, he's only been called upon to make one save over his consecutive clean sheet performances. Dimitrievski and Rayo Valllecano's next test will come next Saturday when they'll face Getafe.

APRIL 1 • ROTOWIRE

Florian Lejeune - Set to return after ban Lejeune is set to return after a one-game suspension, meaning he will be eligible to face Getafe on April 13.

Impact The defender, an absolute free-kick specialist and regular starter at the back for Rayo Vallecano, is set to return after completing his one game. Barring any unforeseen physical issues, he should return to the starting lineup. He's made 29 starts in 2023-24, racking up two goals, one assist and 130 clearances.

APRIL 1 • ROTOWIRE

Raul De Tomas - Back from suspension De Tomas completed his one-game suspension and will be eligible to face Getafe on April 13.

Impact The veteran striker will be eligible to face Getafe once the Liga campaign resumes in the second week of April, though it's uncertain if he'll start. Sergio Camello has been playing well upfront, and de Tomas is going through a four-game scoring drought. Even if he's available off the bench, his return gives Rayo another reliable scoring alternative upfront.

APRIL 1 • ROTOWIRE

Alvaro Garcia - Forced off early Garcia was forced off in the first half of Sunday's match against Celta Vigo due to an injury.

Impact Garcia was forced off in the 15th minute succumbing to injury and being replaced by Andrei Ratiu. More information about the extent of Garcia's injury should be available following the match.

MARCH 31 • ROTOWIRE

Kike Perez - Will miss Celta Vigo game Perez (undisclosed) isn't available for Sunday's clash with Celta Vigo, the club relayed.

Impact Perez suffered an injury in training and will sit out at least one match. He's usually a rotational piece in the midfield, having started in two of his past four showings.

MARCH 31 • ROTOWIRE

Aridane - Out versus Celta Vigo Aridane isn't an option for Sunday's tilt against Celta Vigo, the club relayed.

Impact Aridane picked up a late injury and won't be involved altogether. Pathe Ciss is taking his place in the middle of the defense. He'll be assessed ahead of the next match versus Getafe in two weeks.

MARCH 31 • ROTOWIRE

Óscar Valentín - Dominant defensively in win Valentin registered eight tackles (six won), four clearances and three interceptions in Sunday's 2-0 win over Betis.

Impact Valentin helped his side keep a clean sheet for the first time since Jan. 27. He was a massive part of that, winning a season-high six tackles, intercepting three passes, making four clearances and blocking one shot in his full 90 minutes of action.

MARCH 18 • ROTOWIRE

Raul De Tomas - Shown fifth yellow in win de Tomas was given a yellow card in the 28th minute of Sunday's 2-0 victory versus Betis, his fifth of the season which results in a one-match suspension.

Impact de Tomas committed a bad foul in the first half which earned him his fifth yellow card of the season, making him ineligible for the next match on March 31 at Celta Vigo. He did not do much else in Sunday's match, contributing one off-target shot and one tackle before being subbed off in the 60th minute for eventual goal scorer Sergio Camello.

MARCH 18 • ROTOWIRE

Florian Lejeune - Scores and picks up fifth yellow Lejeune scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) and one cross (zero accurate) in Sunday's 2-0 victory versus Betis. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 85th mi...

Impact Lejeune scored his second goal of the season Sunday -- both of which have come in the last three matches -- a free kick in the 40th minute which opened up the scoring. He also helped his side keep a clean sheet as he contributed one tackle, two interceptions, seven clearances and a season-high three blocked shots. He was on his way to his best performance of the season, but in the 85th minute he picked up his fifth yellow card of the season which makes him ineligible for the March 31 match at Celta Vigo. He will be eligible to return April 13 versus Getafe.

MARCH 18 • ROTOWIRE

Sergio Camello - Scores in Sunday's win Camello scored one goal to go with three shots (two on goal) and one chance created in Sunday's 2-0 victory versus Betis.

Impact Camello scored his third goal of the season Sunday, his first since he scored a brace on Jan. 2. It came in the 78th minute on an unassisted strike, a goal which took the 2-0 lead in the match. He finished the match with three shots, one chance created and two clearances in his 30 minutes off the bench.

MARCH 18 • ROTOWIRE

Stole Dimitrievski - Keeps clean sheet Sunday Dimitrievski registered one save and allowed zero goals in Sunday's 2-0 victory versus Betis.

Impact Dimitrievski kept a clean sheet Sunday, his 10th of the season and his first since Jan. 27. Much of the credit goes to his defense as he only faced one shot on target for just the second time this season. After the international break he faces a matchup of similar difficulty at Celta Vigo on March 31, a side which has scored 32 goals in 29 league matches this season.

MARCH 18 • ROTOWIRE

Alvaro Garcia - Makes Starting XI Garcia (hip) is in the starting XI for Sunday's match against Real Betis.

Impact Garcia was a doubt in the buildup to the match after missing last week's match against Alaves.. The attacker had started six straight matches prior to last week's absence scoring two goals over that timeframe.

MARCH 17 • ROTOWIRE

Alvaro Garcia - Dealing with hip discomfort Garcia (hip) was not an option during Sunday's 1-0 loss to Alaves, confirmed manager Inigo Perez. "He had some minor discomfort throughout the week and we have chosen for him to re...

Impact Garcia was replaced by Jorge De Frutos in the attacking midfield as he picked up a hip injury. Per manager Inigo Perez, it does not seem that it is an issue to worry about and will look to return Sunday versus Real Betis. He has started the last seven games played in a row, totaling two goals with 34 crosses (10 accurate), 12 chances created and 11 clearances in that span.

MARCH 13 • ROTOWIRE

Unai Lopez - Records four crosses Lopez generated one shot (one on goal), four crosses (one accurate) and one corner in Sunday's 1-0 defeat against Deportivo Alaves.

Impact Lopez returned to the starting XI after residing on the bench last match. He displayed a decent performance in his 90 minutes of play, notching one chance created, a shot and four crosses in the attack to go along with three tackles and two interceptions in the defense. He continues as a regular starter, getting the start in 20 of his 25 appearances, although Sunday's match was his first game playing the full 90 in five appearances.

MARCH 11 • ROTOWIRE

Jorge De Frutos Sebastian - Poor day in attack De Frutos recorded two shots (zero on goal) in Sunday's 1-0 loss against Deportivo Alaves.

Impact De Frutos earned only his sixth start of the season Sunday, although he appeared to make a decent case for why that is, as he only registered two shots, a tackle and won clearance in the loss. His season has ultimately been pretty disappointing after having 11 goal contributions in 25 appearances last campaign, only notching one goal back on Sept. 15 in 26 appearances this season.

MARCH 11 • ROTOWIRE

Isi Palazon - Whips in five crosses Isi registered two shots (one on goal), five crosses (one accurate) and four corners in Sunday's 1-0 defeat against Deportivo Alaves. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the...

Impact Isi had a decent match Sunday, notching his second straight match with five crosses, now having 95 on the season. The midfielder continues as a starter, having only missed one start when an option, registering three goals on 52 shots and one assist on 25 chances created to go along with 35 tackles in 27 appearances.

MARCH 11 • ROTOWIRE

Stole Dimitrievski - Allows one against Alaves Dimitrievski made three saves and allowed one goal in Sunday's 1-0 defeat to Deportivo Alaves.

Impact Dimitrievski wasn't awful Sunday despite giving up a goal, as he saved three of the four shots he saw on net. The keeper has now gone seven matches since his last clean sheet, remaining at nine. However, he will hope to grab another in their next contest against Betis, as he is one off of marking a new career-high in a season.

MARCH 11 • ROTOWIRE