Rayo Vallecano Team News - Soccer

Villarreal hires Rayo's Iñigo Pérez as coach ahead of another Champions League run

Villarreal has reached a deal to hire coach Iñigo Pérez, who led fellow Spanish club Rayo Vallecano to the final of the Conference League this season

JUNE 1 • Associated Press

Rayo Vallecano coach Iñigo Pérez is leaving after taking the modest Spanish club to its first final

Rayo Vallecano says coach Iñigo Pérez is stepping down two days after the modest Spanish club lost the Conference League final

MAY 29 • Associated Press

Crystal Palace wins its first-ever European trophy by beating Rayo Vallecano in Conference League final

MAY 27 • Associated Press

Ilias Akhomach - Trains fully, option for final Akhomach (adductor) returned to full team training this week and will be an option for Wednesday's Conference League final, according to Carlos Ganga Galiana of Tiempo de Juego.

Impact Akhomach had been ruled out of Saturday's La Liga season finale against Alaves, but his progression to full collective sessions is a timely boost for Rayo Vallecano heading into the biggest fixture in the club's recent history. The Moroccan winger was not called up by Morocco for the World Cup, making the Conference League final the last opportunity of his season to make an impact, giving him extra motivation to prove his fitness for the showpiece occasion. The club will make a final call on his involvement after assessing how he comes through the remaining sessions before Wednesday's kickoff.

MAY 26 • ROTOWIRE

Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano out of shadow of big-city neighbors in Conference League final

There’s an ironic prize on offer if Crystal Palace can beat Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final on Wednesday

MAY 26 • Associated Press

Sergio Camello - Goal and assist in finale Camello scored one goal and assisted once from two shots and two chances created in Saturday's 2-1 victory against Deportivo Alaves. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the...

Impact Camello was far from a regular starter for much of the campaign, but as the club progressed round by round through the Conference League all the way to the final, the rotation of key players in the league allowed him to earn increased minutes and starts, and he has taken full advantage. The forward has been outstanding during that period, registering five goals and one assist across his last six league appearances (four starts), a remarkable return from a player who had not recorded a single goal contribution before that run.

MAY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Pathe Ciss - Ends league campaign with assist Ciss assisted once to go with one shot (one on goal) and one chance created in Saturday's 2-1 win versus Deportivo Alaves. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 64th minut...

Impact Ciss was given the rest ahead of the Conference League final against Crystal Palace but was called upon from the bench with his side trailing and made an immediate impact, setting up Sergio Camello for the team's first goal to register his first league assist of the season. The versatile midfielder has been one of the most important figures in a historic Rayo Vallecano campaign that has led the club to their first European final, excelling in midfield and most recently in a defensive role, posting 54 tackles, 36 interceptions, 78 clearances and 16 blocks across 29 appearances (20 starts) in the league while contributing two goals from eight shots offensively and backing that up with 13 tackles, 24 interceptions, 38 clearances and seven blocks and one assist across 11 Conference League outings (10 starts).

MAY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Randy Nteka - Scores winning goal in rare start Nteka scored one goal to go with two shots (two on goal) and one chance created in Saturday's 2-1 win versus Deportivo Alaves.

Impact Nteka bounced back from the penalty miss in his last start against Valencia in the best possible way, scoring the winning goal to secure the three points for his side. The forward has been earning increased minutes in the league recently as the team's focus shifts toward the Conference League, a welcome opportunity for a player who spent a large portion of the season either injured or on the bench. Nteka ends his league campaign with three goals from 13 appearances and just three starts, a modest but promising return given the difficulties he has faced throughout the season.

MAY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Dani Cardenas - Makes 10 saves in start Daniel Cardenas recorded 10 saves and allowed one goal in Saturday's 2-1 victory over Deportivo Alaves.

Impact Cardenas was handed the start as part of a rotated lineup to allow Augusto Batalla the rest he needs ahead of the Conference League final against Crystal Palace, and he responded with an outstanding display, making 10 saves to play a huge part in securing the win.

MAY 25 • ROTOWIRE

Unai Lopez - Returns from ban Lopez is no longer suspended and is an option again.

Impact Lopez was out for the season finale but is an option again as they head into the next season, serving his one-match ban. He saw a strong season in which his club qualified for a Conference League final and a spot short of a European spot in the table, recording four assists in 28 appearances (19 starts).

MAY 24 • ROTOWIRE

Ilias Akhomach - Late call for final game Akhomach (adductor) is a late call for Saturday's season finale against Alaves, according to coach Inigo Perez, per Union Rayo Live. "Ilias is going more slowly, let's hope he's re...

Impact Akhomach had been sidelined after suffering a setback from his left adductor injury, and the club will make a final call on his involvement after assessing his condition ahead of Saturday's kickoff. Fran Perez is expected to start if Akhomach cannot be cleared in time for Rayo's season finale against Alaves.

MAY 22 • ROTOWIRE

Alvaro Garcia - Fit for season finale Garcia (undisclosed) has returned to normal training and is available for Saturday's season finale against Alaves, according to coach Inigo Perez, per Union Rayo Live. "Alvaro has...

Impact Garcia had been managing discomfort that kept him out of the Villarreal fixture, but his return to full collective training is a clean bill of health heading into the final fixture of Rayo's season. The winger should push to regain his starting role against Alaves after Francisco Perez had been covering in his absence during the recent spell on the sidelines.

MAY 22 • ROTOWIRE

La Liga finishes with relegation and European berths in play

The final day of La Liga promises drama with more than half the teams either eyeing the prize of playing in Europe or locked in a desperate fight to avoid relegation

MAY 21 • Associated Press

Deportivo Alaves vs Rayo Vallecano Prediction and Betting Tips | May 23rd 2026 The final matchday of the 2025-26 La Liga season sees Deportivo Alaves welcome Rayo Vallecano to the Estadio de Mendizorroza on Saturday.

MAY 21 • SPORTSKEEDA.COM

Unai Lopez - Will miss season finale Lopez will serve a one-match ban due to an accumulation of five yellow cards in La Liga and will therefore miss Sunday's season finale against Alaves.

Impact Lopez picked up his fifth yellow card in La Liga play and will serve a one-match suspension for Sunday's season finale against Alaves. The midfielder has been mainly a rotational option for Rayo Vallecano this season and his absence will allow Pedro Diaz to get a larger role in the engine room for that clash. Lopez ends the season with four assists, a career high 36 chances created, 64 crosses and 55 corners across 28 La Liga appearances (19 starts).

MAY 18 • ROTOWIRE

RAYO VALLECANO 2 - 0 VILLARREAL CF | RESUMEN LALIGA EA SPORTS

MAY 17 • YOUTUBE

Andrei Ratiu - Sets up opening goal Ratiu had an assist while taking an off target shot, crossing three times inaccurately, creating two chances and making four tackles (winning all four) during Sunday's 2-0 win over...

Impact Ratiu set up Sergio Camello in the 28th minute assisting the opening goal of the match while finishing with the second most tackles and crosses on the team. The assist was the first since February for the fullback as he's combined for two shots, 10 crosses and eight tackles over his last three appearances.

MAY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Sergio Camello - Opens the scoring Sunday Camello scored a goal while taking five shots (two on goal) during Sunday's 2-0 win over Villarreal.

Impact Camello found the back of the net in the 28th minute, opening the scoring in the match and leading Rayo with his five shots. The forward has two goals to go along with 10 shots and four chances created over his last three league starts.

MAY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Oscar Trejo - Assists in first start Trejo had an assist while crossing once accurately and creating four chances during Sunday's 2-0 win over Villarreal.

Impact Trejo set up Alemao in the 47th minute assisting Rayo's second goal while leading the team in chances created. The assist was the first this season for Trejo as he made his first start of the match during what has been a campaign plagued by injury and other issues at the club.

MAY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Augusto Batalla - Two saves in clean sheet Batalla kept a clean sheet while making two saves during Sunday's 2-0 win over Villarreal.

Impact Batalla helped Rayo to all three points by blanking Villarreal on Sunday. The keeper has allowed two goals while combining for seven saves over his last three starts. Batalla and company head to Alaves for their season finale Saturday.

MAY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Alvaro Garcia - Unlikely to feature Sunday Garcia (undisclosed) is unlikely to be available for Sunday's clash against Villarreal after continuing to manage discomfort that has prevented him from training fully, according t...

Impact Garcia had been left out of last Saturday's squad against Valencia as a precaution, and the continued physical issues suggest he will unlikely be available for Sunday's clash against the yellow submarine. Francisco Perez is expected to take on a larger role in the front line if Garcia cannot be cleared in time before the kickoff.

MAY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Half of La Liga teams are in relegation fight with two rounds left

The focus in La Liga has shifted to a multi-team fight to avoid relegation after Barcelona won the title last weekend

MAY 16 • Associated Press

Gerard Gumbau - Cramps only, available Sunday Gumbau (undisclosed) finished Thursday's draw against Valencia with cramps but is not injured and will train with the group Saturday, putting him on track to be available for Sunda...

Impact Gumbau had been forced off in the 67th minute of the Valencia fixture, raising concerns over his fitness heading into the weekend, but the positive update confirms there is nothing structural to worry about. The midfielder contributed an assist from a corner before his withdrawal and should regain his starting role against Villarreal if he comes through Saturday's session without any issues.

MAY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Augusto Batalla - Deserves some blame Batalla had two saves and allowed one goal in Thursday's 1-1 draw versus Valencia.

Impact Batalla can be partly blamed for Valencia's lone goal in this match, as he should've done a better job guarding the near post. Batalla has posted excellent results of late, tallying four sheets and just seven goals allowed in his past 11 league starts dating back to Feb. 15.

MAY 15 • ROTOWIRE

Florian Lejeune - Breaks deadlock in draw Lejeune scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) in Thursday's 1-1 draw against Valencia.

Impact Lejeune broke the deadlock in the 20th minute with a header that left Stole Dimitrievski helpless following a perfect cross from Gerard Gumbau (undisclosed). Lejeune earns most of his fantasy upside via defensive stats, but he can be a threat on offense in set-piece situations. He has two goals, one assist and 48 shots (17 on target) this season. Those shooting numbers are very good for a defender -- especially one that has also recorded 218 clearances through 35 league starts.

MAY 15 • ROTOWIRE

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Villarreal hires Rayo's Iñigo Pérez as coach ahead of another Champions League run

Rayo Vallecano coach Iñigo Pérez is leaving after taking the modest Spanish club to its first final

Crystal Palace wins its first-ever European trophy by beating Rayo Vallecano in Conference League final

Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano out of shadow of big-city neighbors in Conference League final

La Liga finishes with relegation and European berths in play

Half of La Liga teams are in relegation fight with two rounds left