"Pequeño en lo deportivo, Grande en valores
¡Que viva el Rayo de la clase obrera!"
Small in the sport, big on values, long live Rayo of the working class. Rayo Vallecano is named after Vallecas, a neighborhood in Madrid. The club has set up funds for people evicted from their homes, and it's supporter group, Los Bukaneros, have protested the commercialization of football, late kick off times, and far right political figures attending matches. In 2012, players and staff joined the 15-m Movement demonstrations that called for basic rights and protested against unemployment rates, welfare cuts, capitalism, and corruption. The club made headlines when supporters protested the signing of Roman Zozulya in 2017, an Ukrainian who has financially supported Neo-Nazi groups. The uproar from supporters led to his loan being terminated. Working class, antifascist, antiracist, this is Rayo Vallecano.
The North Macedonian GK will be our #1 this season. He has been with Rayo Vallecano since 2018-2019, the last season they were in La Liga.
Luca Zidane
The son of the legendary Zinedine Zidane will largely feature in cup matches as he continues to develop. He's not played an incredible amount of first team football as a 23 year old but will be the future #1
Defenders
Ivan Balliu
The experienced Albanian defender began his career with Barcelona B and has played for Portuguese side Arouca, French side FC Metz, and most recently played for Spanish second division side Almeria. He will be the starting right back
Alejandro Catena
The Spanish CB is another player who has been with the club since their last run in La Liga in 2018-2019. He's 6'3", strong, and great in the air. He will be our starting CB throughout this season.
Esteban Saveljich
This will be the Montenegran CB's third season with the club. He's 6'1" and a no-nonsense centerback with incredible strength. He'll start the season as the starting CB next to Catena but the club is expected to upgrade over him in the winter transfer window.
Fran Garcia
The Real Madrid youth product will be relied upon this season after being the starting left back in the promotion winning campaign in the previous season. This will only be his second season playing above the third tier in Spain. It could be a big adjustment for the youngster but he has the potential to be a top left back.
Midfielders
Santiago Comesaña
The 25 year old CDM has spent the last 6 years in Vallecas. He has been through the ups and downs of promotion and relegation and will be asked to help protect the backline and spring attacks with his defensive prowess and good passing ability.
Unai Lopez
The Spanish midfielder joins Rayo Vallecano from Athletic Bilbao where he was a rotational player. He will be the number 8 in the 433 Rayo Vallecano will play this season. He is an engine in the midfielder with good stamina, passing, finishing, and defensive atributes. He will be the link between the defense and the attack.
Oscar Trejo
The captain. The 33 year old Argentinian CAM will be the focal point of the attack. Don't be fooled by his age, he can run his socks off and still glides around the midfield with ease. He can create and finish chances and will expect to do that with the Colombian ST Falcao playing in front of him
Wingers
Isi
The bald Spanish winger is incredibly pacey and decent technically. He will start on the right wing and expected to spring counter attacks while being fed by the likes of Trejo and Lopez. This will be just his third season playing above the third tier of Spain despite being 27 years old and first season playing in La Liga.
Alvaro Garcia
The Spanish winger is even faster than his counterpart on the wings. He will be an outlet on the wings and cause problems with his pace running in behind. Another player who joined VAllecano in the 2018/2019 season who experienced relegation and will expect to not let that happen again.
Bebe
The Portuguese wonderkid never reached the expectations given to him when he joined Manchester United, but he's still carved out a decent career since moving to Spain. His pace and strength is what will always make him dangerous in 1v1 battles and will be an option off the bench.
Strikers
Falcao
The Colombian ST is the biggest signing for Rayo Vallecano since Hugo Sanchez played a season for the dlub in the 90's. Fans lined up to buy his shirt the moment they were released. He announced this will be his last season in professional football. His legs aren't what they used to be, but he can still finish and will look to mentor the future #9 in Randy Nteka.
Randy Nteka
The French ST/CAM joined the club in the summer from second division side Fuenlabrada. He is 6'2" with incredible strength but still needs to improve his composure in front of goal. He could break into the squad this season and see considerable action off the bench at the start of the season but he is expected to be the #9 for many seasons to come.
03-25-2022, 02:20 PM
