IVAN BALLIU NEWS

Bench spot Monday Balliu (undisclosed) is on the bench for Monday's match against Valencia.

Impact Balliu was appearing to be an option ahead of Monday's match and is now fit, with the defender available from the bench. The defender is more of a rotational option for the club, likely to remain on the bench moving forward, while going unused often.

4 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Appears to be option Balliu (undisclosed) is an option for Monday's match against Valencia, according to manager Inigo Perez. "Well, Ivan is fine, he is still sore because it was a very strong blow."

Impact Balliu came off midweek with an injury but appears to only be dealing with a knock, as the defender has been cleared for play. This is solid news, although he will likely still need some testing to decide how much he can play. He has been more of a rotational option recently, likely to earn a bench spot if an option.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Exits due to injury Balliu was subbed off during Thursday's Europa League match against Slovan Bratislava due to injury after suffering an awkward fall.

Impact Balliu suffered a fall and an apparent hit on the head/neck region, so Rayo decided to sub him off. This means Andrei Ratiu will take his place going forward. Ratiu is the regular starter in league play, so Balliu's absence won't affect many fantasy decisions.

NOVEMBER 27 • ROTOWIRE

Signs contract extension Balliu signed a new contract with Rayo Vallecano until the end of the 2026/27 season, the team announced Thursday.

Impact Balliu has been relegated to a secondary role this season, as he's had more games in which he's been an unused sub (10) than starts (eight) since Andrei Ratiu has taken over as the starting right-back. However, Balliu is one of the longest-tenured players in the Rayo squad, and he's expected to remain in the squad as an experienced depth option for years to come following this new contract.

FEBRUARY 27 • ROTOWIRE

Plays full game Balliu recorded two crosses (zero accurate) and one tackle in Sunday's 1-0 loss against Mallorca.

Impact Balliu contributed defensively with two clearances, one tackle, and one interception, while maintaining involvement with 51 touches during the game. He has featured in nine matches this season, starting six of them. Over his last three appearances, Balliu has been reliable at the back, accumulating seven clearances, three tackles, and three interceptions.

OCTOBER 22, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Comes off the bench against Espanyol Balliu recorded one tackle (zero won) in Saturday's 2-1 loss against Espanyol.

Impact Balliu came on for Sergio Camello in the 62nd minute, recording 18 touches and completing just four passes. After starting the previous two games, he found himself on the bench for this match. Last season, he was a consistent presence with 33 appearances (32 starts) and will aim to regain his place in the starting lineup to secure similar minutes this season.

AUGUST 31, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Assist on two chances created Balliu assisted once to go with three crosses (zero accurate) and two chances created in Saturday's 2-1 win versus Osasuna.

Impact For the first time since the 2021-22 La Liga, Balliu has logged an assist in league action. The right-back also broke a relative drought in chances creations, as Saturday's appearance marked his first with multiple of them created since February.

APRIL 20, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

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, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Makes four clearances Balliu took one shot (on goal), crossed once inaccurately and made four clearances during Tuesday's 2-0 win over Getafe.

Impact Balliu helped Rayo keep a clean sheet as a member of the back four Tuesday. The fullback has crossed four times in his last three starts while also making 15 clearances over the same timeframe.

JANUARY 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sends two crosses in loss Balliu recorded one shot (zero on goal) and two crosses (one accurate) in Friday's 1-0 loss to Osasuna. He also notched seven clearances, two tackles and two interceptions.

Impact Balliu was active on both ends of the pitch, and while most of his contributions came on the defensive end, it's worth noting he also attempted to push the ball forward on the right flank on any chance he got. Balliu has earned most of his value via defensive stats, however, as he has failed to record an assist or a goal in his previous 15 league appearances.

DECEMBER 17, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Fit for Girona contest Balliu is a substitute option for Saturday's game versus Girona.

Impact Balliu resumed training earlier this week and is available after missing one match, but he will begin on the bench after starting all the previous games. He has tallied five key passes, 14 crosses (two accurate), and 12 clearances in his last five appearances.

NOVEMBER 11, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Back on grass Balliu (undisclosed) was seen on the grass with the ball training ahead of Saturday's match against Girona.

Impact Balliu did not travel to Real Madrid on Sunday with an undisclosed injury, but is back to training and will aim for a return Saturday. He had previously started and played all 90 minutes the last 11 matches, recording an average of 2.4 crosses per game. If all goes well, the defender should get the start at right back.

NOVEMBER 8, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Continues as starter Balliu kept nine clean sheets in 37 La Liga appearances (all starts) this season for Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Balliu has started 72 of a possible 76 league matches across the last two campaigns for Rayo, and the 31-year-old should continue as the preferred right-back next season ahead of Mario Hernandez.

JUNE 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Four crosses in loss Balliu registered four crosses (two accurate) and two chances created in Wednesday's 2-1 loss versus Real Madrid.

Impact Balliu whipped in four crosses (two accurate) Wednesday, his most accurate crosses since March 11. He also created two chances, attempted four tackles and intercepted one pass in his full 90 minutes of action.

MAY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Three crosses in return Balliu registered three crosses (zero accurate) and three tackles in Monday's 1-1 draw against Valencia. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 81st minute.

Impact Balliu (yellow card accumulation) returned to the lineup after missing the last match. He totaled multiple crosses and tackles, picking up where he left off. With 17 crosses (four accurate) in the last eight games, the defender is averaging 3.1 crosses a contest.

APRIL 4, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Available once more Balliu is available to return from a one-match ban due to yellow card accumulation.

Impact Balliu picked up his fifth yellow card of the season against Celta Vigo and was handed a one-match ban. The defender is now eligible to return from suspension for an Apr. 3 trip to Valencia, where he will likely find his way straight back into the starting XI.

MARCH 20, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Given one-match ban Balliu had two crosses (two accurate) and two chances created in Saturday's 3-0 loss against Celta Vigo. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 46th minute.

Impact Balliu will be forced to miss his first match this season after being shown his fifth yellow card of the year. He has been one of Rayo's most consistent players, averaging 3.1 crosses with 79 on the campaign. Mario Hernandez will likely start at right back Saturday against Girona.

MARCH 15, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Ready for Sevilla match Balliu is fit and in the starting XI for Sunday's match against Sevilla.

Impact Balliu has recovered from an injury that forced him off in the second half of last week's match in time to face Sevilla. The defender takes up a role in the Rayo back line having helped his club to eight clean sheets in 21 appearances.

FEBRUARY 19, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Comes off injured Balliu was subbed off due to injury in the 53rd minute of Sunday's 1-1 draw versus Getafe. He generated two crosses (zero accurate) and one tackle before exiting the match.

Impact Balliu was forced to exit the match with an undisclosed injury. He has played in almost every minute this season while totaling 70 crosses (12 accurate) and 44 clearances thus far. If this injury is serious, it will be a huge blow for the club, losing out on one of their most consistent defenders. Mario Hernandez will be the next player up if Balliu must be sidelined.

FEBRUARY 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scores own goal versus Betis Balliu created one chance, sent in three inaccurate crosses, made one block and scored an own goal during Sunday's 2-1 loss against Betis.

Impact Balliu was very unfortunate when a teammate struck him when trying to clear a corner from the right and the ball ended up going into the back of the net with just seven minutes into the match. This was the second own goal of the season for the right-back but remains one of his team's top fantasy performers.

JANUARY 9, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Scores own goal Balliu recorded six crosses (zero accurate) but scored an own goal in Saturday's 5-1 win over Cadiz.

Impact Balliu was busy in the match by launching crosses over to the offense. However, he made a crucial mistake of clearing the ball right into his own net, giving Cadiz their only goal of the match. This shouldn't ruin the confidence of the 30-year-old veteran as his form has been in top shape with 25 crosses (five accurate), nine chances created and nine clearances in the last five matches.

OCTOBER 22, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Abundance of crosses in draw Balliu tallied six crosses (three won), four chances created and three tackles (two won) in Tuesday's 1-1 tie versus Atletico Madrid.

Impact Balliu is having himself a stellar season thus far with always recording either multiple crosses or clearances a match. He so far has 41 crosses and 22 clearances, bringing his average crosses a match to 4.1 and clearances to 2.2. The 30-year-old defender has been one of Vallecano's consistent players on the campaign with a total of 27 crosses (five accurate), eight clearances and eight chances created in the last five matches.

OCTOBER 18, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Solid in win Balliu kept a clean sheet with six clearances made and created one chance during Friday's 2-0 win over Espanyol.

Impact Balliu has gone the full 90 in both of his side's first two games, shutting out both Barcelona-based clubs in under a week. While his attacking contribution needs to increase if he's to offer good fantasy value, his reliability at the back is a solid starting point.

AUGUST 19, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Extends contract with Rayo Balliu signed a three-year contract extension with Rayo Vallecano, his club announced Thursday.

Impact Balliu saw his way through a difficult season as a strong contributor with one goal, two assists and eight clean sheets in 35 starts. This is also a good sign for his club, which has some known financial issues but may not have many difficulties keeping the first team stable, a point that should help out Balliu's value opposite Fran Garcia.

JULY 7, 2022 • ROTOWIRE

Creates two chances against Levante Balliu took a shot on target and created two chances in last week's 4-2 defeat against Levante. He also made an interception and won two of four tackles in the match.

Impact Balliu kept eight clean sheets and tallied a goal and two assists across 35 appearances (all starts) in his first senior campaign in La Liga. The 30-year-old should remain Rayo's first choice right back heading into next season, though Mario Hernandez will continue to push him for the spot.

JUNE 1, 2022 • ROTOWIRE