Vallecas prepares for his date with history. There are nerves, enthusiasm, butterflies in the stomach… A feeling that grows exponentially as the appointment approaches (follow the match live on AS.com). It is not for less. Rayo did not live a night of quarters cupbearers from 20 years agowhen Real Madrid asserted the 4-0 win at the Bernabéu and left the 1-0 second leg win on paper (a goal by Peragón). Now has before him a unique possibilityto move on up to semis Something that has only happened once in the history of the Fringe. And that’s what it’s been about four decades (1982). At that time, a First Division Sporting —the people from Madrid were in the Second Division— prevailed in both games of the tie (0-1 and 3-0). A too severe corrective to the honor shown by those of Peñalvaamong which were Uceda, Anero, Benito or Morón, current sports director of the Rayo Foundation School.
This time he faces for glory a old acquaintance. Majorca He got promotion last summer, along with the redheads, and began his career in the First Division better than the others assumed. They have taken parallel paths, but not the same. Iraola’s men beat Luis García’s men in the first round by 3-1 and they have spent a large part of the league championship in or near European positions. That, coupled with his good game, has turned on the call of hope in a hobby that dreams big. Even more so in Vallecas, where they have been undefeated for ten games. Only Athletic emerged victorious from their domains.
Lightning will have to deal with two important casualtiesthose of Fran Garcia and Falcaowho will relieve Rodrigues and Guardiola. The Manacor striker was one of the heroes in Montilivi and the big trick for a team that could offer his first minutes to Sylla, his latest signing. More than likely it will be to see the premiere of the vermilion reinforcements: Rico, Gio and Muriqi. The islanders have not been in the quarterfinals since 2012 and their last semis date back to 2009. Therefore, not only are the forces equal, but also the desire. This clash will have the flavor of yesteryear, of those mythical promotions. Glory and disappointment, one step away.
A very special welcome
The fans also play. The ADRV Platform has convened this Wednesday, at 6:30 p.m., at the entrance to the changing rooms of Calle Payaso Fofó, all the Rayista fans to give a warm welcome to the team with chants and scarves. Animation that will continue inside the stadium half an hour before the initial whistle and during the break, jumping into the visitor’s vomitory.
match keys
unknowns
Iraola could bet on the league gala eleven, although he handles several doubts behind. Luca and Dimitrievski are the options in goal and Saveljich and Mario Suárez, in the axis of defense.
upside down
Mallorca is the team scoring the most headed goals in this Copa del Rey, six. This is how Sedlar (two), Ángel (another two), Abdón Prats and Gayá scored.
Punch
Rayo’s gunpowder has been wet in the League (he has scored a goal in the last three games), but in the Cup he is more effective (three against Mirandés and Girona).
Kubo, in the air
Kubo’s presence depends on how he arrives in Madrid, directly from Asia, where he has been with his national team, although he did not play a minute.
atmosphere
It was not even six in the morning on Tuesday and there was already a queue in front of the ticket offices of the Vallecas stadium to get a ticket as soon as they opened.
aces to follow
Guardiola
The Lightning reference above. He is one of the top scorers on the team with five goals, two of them against Girona in the previous cup round.
Muriqi
The Kosovar striker must begin to score differences and goals in the vermilion attack, for that he has arrived on the island.
Ups and downs
–> El Rayo loses Falcao, who does not arrive on time for his commitment to Colombia. Merquelanz is out due to injury and so is Fran García.
–> Raíllo returns after six months injured and the signings Gio and Muriqi enter, at the expense of the immigration documentation.
Statistical corner
–> Their paths in the Cup have crossed three times. Rayo went to the second round in 80-81 and Mallorca made it to the sixteenth in 04-05 and to the quarterfinals in 09-10.
–> That Mallorca from 09-10, with Manzano, turned the tie around (3-1) with a goal from Mario Suárez.