Match Pack: Rayo Vallecano vs Athletic Club (LaLiga MD24)

Ernesto Valverde's Leones travel to Vallecas, Madrid, to face Rayo Vallecano in what is set to be a crucial match for both teams' European aspirations.

After recent adverse results, Athletic Club are looking for a win to start climbing up the table again.

The Zurigorri will face stiff opposition in the form of Andoni Iraola's Rayo, currently sitting in sixth place and once again making a mockery of the pre-seaon predictions.

Match Info
Rayo Vallecano vs Athletic Club (Matchday 24)

Estadio de Vallecas (Madrid)

LaLiga Santander 22/23

Sunday March 5, 18:30 CET

How to Watch
LaLiga TV operators and kick-off times around the world to make sure you don't miss the match.

Team News
Valverde has named a 22-man squad for the clash

In terms of absences, Unai Simón, Ander Herrera, Yeray and Jon Morcillo are all out injured. Ander Iru and Adu Ares have been called up as cover.

Valverde's Comments
Catch up with everything the gaffer had to say ahead of the clash

The Opponents

Head coach: Andoni Iraola

A very familiar name for most Athleticzales, Andoni Iraola is an Athletic Club legend, who made 510 appearances (the fifth highest in our club's history) for the Lions over 12 seasons.

That same professionalism and determination which charcterised Andoni's playing days has followed him into his coaching career. The former right-back got his first managerial job at AEK Larnaca in Cyprus and after that he moved on to CD Mirandes, taking the side on an incredible run to the Copa semi-finals in 2019/20.

Iraola took over at Rayo Vallecano ahead of the 2020/21 season, a campaign in which he led the Madrid-based outfit back to LaLiga Santander via the play-offs. After a strong start to the 2021/22 campaign, Vallecano finished the season in 12th place with 42 points.

Star player: Isi Palazon

The 28-year-old winger has been hugely impressive since signing for Rayo in 2020 and has had no issues adapting to LaLiga Santander since their promotion. With five goals to his name, Isi is the team's joint top-scorer in LaLiga so far this season - level with Atlético Madrid loanee Sergio Camello - while he also has the same number of assists.

Recent form (LaLiga): WWDDL

Rayo have been consistent performers this season, also pulling off some important results against big teams, such as: 0-0 vs Barcelona (A), 1-1 vs Atlético Madrid (A) and a 3-2 win vs Real Madrid (H).

A 1-0 away defeat to Cádiz last week was their first loss in four matches.

Previous Meetings
Since meeting for the first time in LaLiga back in 1977/78, Athletic Club and Rayo Vallecano have played a total of 39 matches in the top flight, with 21 wins, nine draws and nine defeats for Los Leones.

As for matches played at Vallecas, Los Rojiblancos have recorded seven victories, six draws and six losses.

Athletic have won three, drawn one and lost one from their last five visits to Vallecas.

Los Leones came away from Vallecas with all three points last season thanks to a Nico Serrano wonder-strike in the 30th minute.