Cornellà de Llobregat (Barcelona)/Madrid, December 6 (EFE).- After being eliminated from the Copa del Rey by Atlético Baleares (1-0), Espanyol hosts another second RFEF with the intention of compensating for Rayo Vallecano, which was on the verge of a setback against Real Ávila, and is experiencing a moment of depression due to its crisis of results due to physical decline.
Espanyol’s stumble in the knockout tournament contrasts with its remarkable performance in regular competition. The blue-whites are sixth and installed in the European places. Furthermore, they seem to be stubborn at the RCDE Stadium: five wins, one draw and two defeats.
Coach Manolo González’s students face their last home game before the Christmas break after recording two consecutive wins in LaLiga against Sevilla (2-1) and Celta (0-1). The parakeets have never been able to celebrate three wins in a row this season.
The coaching staff cannot count on striker Javi Puado, who sprained his right knee. Centre-back Calero might not feature in the cup and his presence against Rayo is not guaranteed. Attacker Pere Milla also collects four cards.
Changes are expected in Espanyol’s starting XI, which opted for a starting XI with many unusual players in the cup. The players know that they cannot fail again and will try to bring joy to their team. El Rayo can expect a coordinated and focused version of the host.
The recent precedents between both teams at the RCDE Stadium paint a balanced scenario: three wins for Espanyol and two for Rayo Vallecano. In 2024/25, on the fourth league matchday, the Catalans won 2-1. In the past, the blue and whites dominated the Madrid team at home.
In front of them is Rayo Vallecano, who are taking their toll physically and therefore also in terms of results due to the many trips and the competition between the league, the Copa del Rey and the Conference League. The last win in the league was against Alavés on October 26th. Since then, one defeat and three draws and in between the painful defeat against Slovan Bratislava in the Conference League and the agonizing victory in the last minute of extra time against Real Ávila.
To make it into his eleven, Iñigo Pérez, Rayo coach, will have to think about the physical condition of his players, knowing that they will play again later, in just four days. In this way, the possibility of the Brazilian Alemao returning to the point of attack and Jorge de Frutos acting as a playmaker wins.
What seems clear is that the central pairing will be Frenchman Florian Lejeune and Senegalese Nobel Mendy, who cannot play in Europe as he is not registered and has been one of the standout players in recent weeks.
Still unavailable are midfielder Pedro Díaz, Argentinian playmaker Oscar Trejo and Ghanaian central defender Abdul Mumin, who is already in the final stages of recovery from a long-term injury.
– Likely alignments:
Spanish: Dmitrovic; Omar El Hilali, Riedel, Cabrera, Romero; Lozan, Urko, Terrats; Dolan, Pere Milla and Roberto Fernández.
Rayo Vallecano: Battle; Ratiu, Mendy, Lejeune, Chavarria; Pathé Ciss, Oscar Valentin; Isi, De Frutos, Alvaro; and Alemao.
Referee: Appointment pending
Stadium: RCDE Stadium.
Time: 18:30 (17:30 GMT). EFE
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