UNAI LOPEZ NEWS

Aiming at Real Madrid return Lopez (hamstring) returned to training this week but is aiming toward being available for the clash against Real Madrid on March 9, Pablo Villa of MARCA reports.

Impact Even though seeing Lopez back on the field should be a good sign, the game against Sevilla will be too early for him as he continues to work his way back from a hamstring problem. As such, the earliest he might be able to return to action will be the matchup against Real Madrid on March 9, and that'll be depending on his recovery process.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Remains out for Villarreal Lopez will not feature in Saturday's clash against Villarreal, as he hasn't fully recovered from his hamstring injury, coach Inigo Perez said in the press conference.

Impact Lopez is still recovering from the hamstring injury sustained against Valladolid and will not be available for Saturday's match against Villarreal. The coach has expressed hope that his recovery process will accelerate, making him a potential option for the match against Sevilla next Saturday. In the meantime, Pedro Diaz is expected to replace him in midfield.

FEBRUARY 21 • ROTOWIRE

Won't play vs. Barca Lopez won't play against Barcelona on Monday due to a hamstring injury, Alejandro Sanchez of Record reports.

Impact Lopez picked up a hamstring injury in the 1-0 win over Real Valladolid on Feb. 7, and while the club hasn't delivered an official update regarding his recovery process, that kind of injury usually needs two to three weeks to recover. On that frame, he's highly unlikely to be available for the Feb. 22 match against Villarreal, and he should be considered doubtful to face Sevilla on March 1.

FEBRUARY 17 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up injury Lopez came off with an apparent injury during the first half of Friday's clash with Valladolid.

Impact Lopez picked up an injury during the first half of Friday's clash and had to be forced off before the 25th minute. Pedro Diaz came on to replace Lopez. Diaz could see more chances in the coming weeks Lopez can't get fit before a Feb. 17 trip to Barcelona.

FEBRUARY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Scores opener vs Real Madrid Lopez scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal) and two crosses (zero accurate) in Saturday's 3-3 draw against Real Madrid.

Impact Lopez scored the opener in the fourth minute with his third goal in the campaign. The midfielder could not do much stat-wise after that, subbing off in the 66th minute. He now has 10 starts in 14 overall appearances.

DECEMBER 18, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Ready to return after ban Lopez completed his one-game suspension and is eligible to face Valencia on Saturday.

Impact Lopez has been a steady presence in midfield for Rayo Vallecano and should return to his regular role. This means Pathe Ciss is likely to revert back to a bench role.

DECEMBER 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Sent off Sunday Lopez was sent off in the first half of Sunday's match against Sevilla.

Impact Lopez, who just returned from a one-match suspension, was shown a straight red card in stoppage time forcing Rayo down to ten men. The midfielder will return to the suspended list for next week's match against Athletic Club.

NOVEMBER 24, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

No longer suspended Lopez completed his one-game suspension and will be eligible to face Sevilla on Nov. 24 after the international break.

Impact The central midfielder missed the 3-1 loss to Las Palmas after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season in the win over Alaves in late October. Given that he's started in eight of his 11 appearances so far, he should return to the starting lineup as soon as he is eligible.

NOVEMBER 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Suspended due to yellow cards Lopez will be suspended for Saturday's match at Villarreal due to yellow-card accumulation.

Impact The central midfielder has been a regular for Rayo this season, having made eight starts out of 11 appearances. Pathe Ciss and Gerard Gumbau are options to replace him in this one-game absence, though he should return to the starting lineup for the Nov. 8 matchup against Las Palmas.

OCTOBER 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Scores as substitute in win Lopez scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and one corner in Monday's 3-1 victory versus Osasuna. In addition, he was given a yellow card in...

Impact Lopez took the ball from his own half of the field on a last-minute counterattack and finished his solo play for the third home goal in this match. He has now scored twice in five matches played (two starts) this season, despite having a short time on the field in some of those clashes. Such effectiveness makes him a good candidate to regain the starting position from Gerard Gumbau as Oscar Valentin's partner in a two-man defensive midfield.

SEPTEMBER 16, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Nets goal Lopez scored one goal to go with one shot (one on goal), two crosses (zero accurate) and one corner in Tuesday's 2-1 loss to Barcelona.

Impact Lopez scored the lone goal for Rayo during the loss Tuesday. He's started two of the three matches played, totaling the one shot while producing three clearances and two crosses (zero accurate).

AUGUST 28, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Signs extension with Rayo Lopez has signed a new deal with Rayo Vallecano until the end of the 2025/26 season, his club announced Monday.

Impact Lopez had a breakout season in 2023/24, recording a career-high 28 starts and 35 appearances. Even though he registered just one goal and two assists, Lopez was one of the team's most consistent players in Vallecas and should remain with a prominent role in the club going forward.

JULY 1, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Records four crosses Lopez generated one shot (one on goal), four crosses (one accurate) and one corner in Sunday's 1-0 defeat against Deportivo Alaves.

Impact Lopez returned to the starting XI after residing on the bench last match. He displayed a decent performance in his 90 minutes of play, notching one chance created, a shot and four crosses in the attack to go along with three tackles and two interceptions in the defense. He continues as a regular starter, getting the start in 20 of his 25 appearances, although Sunday's match was his first game playing the full 90 in five appearances.

MARCH 11, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Eligible for return Lopez is eligible for selection for Monday's clash with Sevilla after serving a one-match ban.

Impact Lopez was suspended due to accumulation after picking up a yellow card against Sociedad. The midfielder is now eligible to return once more. Lopez has been a consistent piece of the starting XI in central midfield of late, and should return immediately into the starting XI.

FEBRUARY 2, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

One match ban Lopez registered two shots (zero on goal), three crosses (zero accurate) and two corners in Saturday's 0-0 draw versus Real Sociedad. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the...

Impact Lopez was selected to the starting XI and played 90 minutes for the second consecutive match Saturday. The two matches mark the lone instances Lopez has played 90 minutes this campaign. Lopez will have to wait for his next opportunity to start, as he'll be suspended for one match after receiving his fifth yellow card of the season Saturday.

JANUARY 27, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Plays full match against Las Palmas Lopez registered three shots (zero on goal), six crosses (one accurate) and four corners in Saturday's 2-0 loss versus Las Palmas.

Impact Lopez delivered the second-highest number of crosses in the game, closely following Alvaro Garcia. Additionally, he contributed defensively with three tackles and a clearance. Despite accumulating a goal and two assists in 18 appearances this season, his last goal involvement dates back to November against Barcelona.

JANUARY 21, 2024 • ROTOWIRE

Seven crosses and clean sheet Lopez registered a clean sheet, one shot (zero on goal), seven crosses (three accurate) and four corners in Monday's 0-0 draw versus Celta Vigo. In addition, he was given a yellow...

Impact Lopez played the full 90 minutes for the first time this season Monday and marked the occasion with his first clean sheet of the season. He also set season highs in crosses (seven, three accurate) and corners (four), in addition to creating three chances for the second time this season. The only downside to his performance was a yellow card in the 73rd minute for a bad foul, his fourth booking of the season.

DECEMBER 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Unproductive in defeat Lopez registered one shot (zero on goal), two crosses (zero accurate) and one chance created in Saturday's 4-0 loss against Athletic.

Impact Lopez failed to provide much of an impact as he only took one shot, which failed to find the mark. Additionally he delivered two crosses, both of which were inaccurate.

DECEMBER 3, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Smashes home first of the season Lopez scored one goal to go with two shots (one on goal), three crosses (one accurate) and one corner in Saturday's 1-1 draw versus Barcelona. In addition, he was given a yellow ca...

Impact Lopez scored his first goal of the season in style with a thunderous strike drilled home from outside the box. This marked his first goal or assist since late September and he will try to maintain this level of performance against Athletic Bilbao in his next match.

NOVEMBER 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Tallies second assist Lopez assisted once to go with one shot (zero on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and one chance created in Sunday's 1-1 draw against Villarreal.

Impact Lopez notched his second assist of the season, as he set up teammate, Kiki Perez in the center of the box to tie the game at 1-1, in the 16th minute of action. Prior to the goal, Lopez had one of the first chances of the match but missed the target. He was relatively quiet for the rest of the match and was subbed out in the 70th minute.

SEPTEMBER 26, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Assists opening goal Lopez had an assist while taking an off target shot, crossing twice inaccurately and creating two chances during Monday's 2-0 win over Granada.

Impact Lopez set up Alvaro Garcia in the 75th minute assisting the opening goal of the match. The assist puts the midfielder halfway to his season total from a year ago, but more importantly he's started both of Rayo's opening matches in La Liga after being primarily used as a substitute last campaign.

AUGUST 22, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Applies pressure early Lopez had two shots (one on goal), one cross (zero accurate) and one corner in Friday's 2-0 win over Almeria. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 40th minute.

Impact Lopez was quiet early in the match and racked up two quick fouls, including a yellow card in the 40th minute. He soon made up for it by firing a shot on goal and a second shot that was blocked. However, after picking up a third foul before the end of the half, Lopez was subbed out of the match.

AUGUST 12, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Remains backup option mostly Lopez tallied one goal and two assists in 34 La Liga appearances (12 starts) in attacking midfield this season.

Impact Lopez was slightly more effective during his sophomore campaign with Rayo as he tallied a few direct goal involvements from midfield, but the 27-year-old was still behind the likes of Oscar Trejo, Oscar Valentin and Santi Comesana in the team's depth chart.

JUNE 27, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Two shots at Real Madrid Lopez generated two shots (one on goal) and one corner in Wednesday's 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid. In addition, he was given a yellow card in the 51st minute.

Impact Lopez made his first start in nearly a month Wednesday and finished the match with two shots (one on target), his most since Oct. 29 at Sevilla. He also created two chances, took one corner, won one tackle and intercepted two passes in his 83 minutes of action. He picked up a yellow card in the 51st minute as well, his second booking of the season.

MAY 24, 2023 • ROTOWIRE

Records assist against Sevilla Lopez took three shots (one on target) and assisted a goal in Saturday's 1-0 victory against Sevilla. He also won one of one tackles in the match.

Impact Lopez grabbed his second assist of the season in setting up Alvaro Garcia's winner on Saturday. This was just his second start in La Liga since August.

OCTOBER 30, 2022 • ROTOWIRE