Match Pack: Athletic Club-Rayo Vallecano (LaLiga MD6)

LaLiga returns to San Mamés and it does so with a match characterised by a great atmosphere and harmony between the fans of both teams.

The Lions, catapulted by the great result obtained in Elche, with a 1-4 victory, hope to return to winning ways spurred on by their fans against an opponent coached by Andoni Iraola, who was a Lion.

A match with many attractions for a night to remember. If the case of a win, Ernesto Valverde's side will go into the break in the European places. 

Match Info
Athletic Club vs Rayo Vallecano (Matchday 6)

San Mamés (Bilbao)

LaLiga Santander 22/23

Saturday September 17, 21:00 CEST

How to Watch

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Team news
 

Ernesto Valverde has called up 23 players for the clash in Bilbao. Left-backs Mikel Balenziaga and Yuri Berchiche remain on the physio's bench.

Recent signing Ander Herrera returns to the squad after a week out with injury.

Valverde's comments

Read more from the Gaffer's press conference here.

The opponents

Head coach: Andoni Iraola Sagarna

As a footballer, he played mainly at right-back and spent almost his entire professional career with Athletic Club in the First Division, with whom he played in three Copa del Rey finals, one Europa League final and one Spanish Super Cup final. After his departure from Bilbao, Iraola finished his playing career with New York City F.C. in the MLS. After hanging up his boots, he took his first steps into management with AEK Larnaca from Cyprus during one season. He then coached CD Mirandés and reached the Cup semi-final and is now in his third season at Rayo Vallecano after taking the team from Madrid in the second division.

New signings:

Transfers: Diego López (goalkeeper, from RCD Espanyol), Abdul Mumin (centre-back, Vitoria Guimaraes), Pep Chavarría (left-back, from Real Zaragoza) and Salvi Sánchez (midfielder, from Cádiz). In addition, they have just signed Raúl de Tomás (RCD Espanyol) outside the summer market and the forward will not be able to compete in his second spell at Vallecas until January.

Loans: Florian Lejeune (centre-back, from Deportivo Alavés) and Sergio Camello (forward, from Atlético de Madrid)

Recent form:

Five fixtures into the campaign, Rayo have two wins, two draws and one defeat, giving them seven out of a possible 15 points. They earned a point on the opening day at Camp Nou and in their last league game they beat Valencia CF at home.

 

Previous Meetings

Since their first LaLiga clash in the 1977/78 season, Athletic Club and Rayo Vallecano have played a total of 38 matches in the top flight, with the Lions winning 20, drawing 9 and losing 9.



As for matches played at San Mamés, Athletic has a favourable record with 13 wins, 3 draws and 3 defeats.



With regard to the last five encounters between the two sides in Bilbao, Rayo has only won three points on one occasion, in the last season. The remaining four encounters saw four wins for Los Leones.