UNAI LOPEZ NEWS

Suspension cleared Lopez is no longer suspended and is an option moving forward for the club.

Impact Lopez has served his suspension due to the red card he received against Espanyol and is set to return in the next contest. The midfielder has been an undisputed starter for Rayo Vallecano and will therefore claim back that role against Elche on Sunday.

8 HOURS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Two yellow cards Sunday Lopez was shown a red card in the 63rd minute of Sunday's match against Rayo Vallecano.

Impact Lopez was given a yellow card early in the first half and couldn't keep his head the rest of the match, sent off in the 63rd minute after another yellow card. This will lead to a one-match ban, returning to face Elche on Dec. 21. He's a regular in the midfield, so this will force a change, leaving a spot to fill, with Pathe Ciss likely to fill his spot next match after serving a suspension of his own.

DECEMBER 7 • ROTOWIRE

Unused from bench Lopez (undi) was unused off the bench in Thursday's 3-2 win over Lech Poznan.

Impact Lopez was back on the team sheet for the club's midweek match after battling some injury issues, with the midfielder on the bench but going unused. He will look to work back into the starting XI for league play moving forward, starting in all but two games this season while recording two assists.

NOVEMBER 8 • ROTOWIRE

Not available Saturday Lopez (undisclosed) isn't available for Saturday's clash against Villarreal, the club posted.

Impact Lopez was expected to start in midfield for Saturday's clash against Villarreal but is not on the match sheet. The midfielder is missing the game for undisclosed reasons and is replaced numerically by Isi Palazon in the starting XI.

NOVEMBER 1 • ROTOWIRE

Assist from corner Lopez assisted once to go with four crosses (one accurate) and four corners in Sunday's 3-0 victory against Levante.

Impact Lopez delivered four corners and attempted four crosses, one of which was accurate and led to the team's opening goal, resulting in his second assist of the season. It was his second consecutive game attempting four or more crosses.

OCTOBER 20 • ROTOWIRE

Plenty of service Lopez generated five crosses (one accurate) and three corners in Sunday's 1-0 victory over Real Sociedad.

Impact Though Lopez's crosses and corners didn't get him an assist, it's a good foundation to build on going forward. He has a good chance to get an assist if he maintains this volume after the break against Levante, a team which has allowed 14 goals in eight La Liga games.

OCTOBER 5 • ROTOWIRE

Picks up assist in loss Lopez assisted once to go with two crosses (zero accurate) and one corner in Wednesday's 3-2 defeat versus Atletico Madrid.

Impact Lopez registered his first goal contribution of the season, as he set up Pep Chavarria for a shot from outside the box just before halftime. Lopez tied his season high with two chances created in the match and topped 35 completed passes for the fourth time in six outings. He also recorded his fourth tackle won of the season.

SEPTEMBER 26 • ROTOWIRE

Provides assist in win Lopez assisted once to go with one shot (one on goal), four crosses (two accurate) and three corners in Saturday's 2-0 victory versus Deportivo Alaves.

Impact Lopez registered his first assist of the season as his corner kick cross was headed home by Pathe Ciss in the second minute of the match. The midfielder returned to the starting lineup after appearing as a substitute in his previous two games as he recovered from an injury.

MARCH 31 • ROTOWIRE

Fit to face Madrid Lopez (hamstring) is an option for Sunday's match against Real Madrid, according to manager Inigo Perez, per Marca.

Impact Lopez is back with the team and an option to face Real as expected a few weeks ago, with his recovery program appearing to have gone as planned. This ends a three match absence and he will look to see the start immediately, as he has only missed five starts all season when available.

MARCH 8 • ROTOWIRE

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.

FEBRUARY 27 • 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