Latest news with #InigoPerez
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rayo Vallecano revive European hopes with vital Getafe win
Rayo Vallecano are back in the reckoning for a potential European qualification place at the end of 2024/25. Inigo Perez is pushing to guide Rayo back to Europe for the first time in over two decades on the back of committing his future to Vallecas. Advertisement However, his team have seen their form dip at the worst time, with just one league win in ten matches prior to their Friday night derby showdown with neighbours Getafe. Jose Bordalas' team have edged away from relegation danger in recent weeks and they are close to jumping into the top half, but it was Rayo who claimed bragging rights in a tight 1-0 home victory. French defender Florian Lejeune got the hosts off to a perfect start on seven minutes as he headed home from a corner. Getafe responded quickly to the setback as Ramon Terrats wasted a perfect chance to equalise before half time. That gave Rayo the initiative after the restart, as they pushed for a second goal, with Alvaro Garcia and Jorge de Frutos both denied. Advertisement As the home side looked to hold on in the closing stages, Getafe captain Dakonam Djene was sent off for dissent, and Rayo got all three points over the line. A crucial win moves Perez's team up to ninth in the table, level with Osasuna in eighth spot. La Liga's European placings this season stretch down to eighth place, due an extra UEFA Champions League spot being granted to Spain, and Barcelona winning the Copa del Rey. However, Rayo will need to ensure they continue winning games in the run-in, to keep themselves in the hunt – and up next for Perez's charges is a trip to Las Palmas. They will then face the teams currently in sixth, seventh and tenth place in the final three league outings of 2024/25. Images via Getty Images/One Football
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
La Liga Round Up: Atletico Madrid lose more title ground as Mallorca and Rayo slip up
La Liga Round Up: Atletico Madrid lose more title ground as Mallorca and Rayo slip up La Liga Round Up: Atletico Madrid lose more title ground as Mallorca and Rayo slip up Saturday's La Liga action featured another title blow for Atletico Madrid as Rayo Vallecano and Mallorca lost ground in the race for Europe. Barcelona pulled off a superb 4-3 comeback win at home to Celta Vigo to extend their lead at the top of the table but Los Rojiblancos now look cut adrift in third spot. Advertisement Let's take a look at how Saturday's action unfolded… Rayo Vallecano 1-1 Valencia Rayo Vallecano are in a clutch of teams still pushing for European qualification but they were held at home to Valencia. Thee news of Inigo Perez's contract extension was a major boost for the home fans in Vallecas as they edged ahead just before half time via Cesar Tarenga's own goal. However, Los Che were the better side in the opening period, and they got their reward in the closing stages, as Umar Sadiq bundled home from close range. Rayo are now three points off seventh place as Valencia edge closer to safety under Carlos Corberan. Advertisement Mallorca 0-0 Leganes Mallorca currently occupy seventh place, ahead of Rayo and Celta Vigo, but they could not find a way past a stubborn Leganes in Palma. Leganes are fighting for their lives down in the relegation zone and they picked up a key point on the road in their trip off the mainland. The hosts had openings either side of the break, but there was an end of season feel in the air, as substitutes Antonio Sanchez and Marc Domenech missed late chances to win it for the home side. Las Palmas 1-0 Atletico Madrid In Saturday's final game, Las Palmas snatched a dramatic 93rd minute winner to effectively end Atletico Madrid's lingering title hopes. Advertisement Julian Alvarez and Alexander Sorloth were both denied in the first half, as Las Palmas held on, but the expected response did not materialise from Diego Simeone's team. And as the clock ticked down, Javier Munoz gambled on Atletico Madrid's failure to clear a long ball, to prod home a shock winner in Gran Canaria. Defeat leaves Simeone's charges 10 points behind Barcelona overnight. Images via Getty Images/One Football
Yahoo
18-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Real Madrid no longer the only club criticizing La Liga refereeing as discontent spreads
Real Madrid have been leading the charge in exposing the inconsistencies in refereeing across La Liga, and now, more clubs are beginning to voice their frustration as well. According to MARCA (h/t Madrid Xtra), the issue, which Los Blancos have been highlighting for weeks, is no longer an isolated concern. Other teams are now recognising the need for greater transparency and fairness in officiating. In recent weeks, Real Madrid have suffered from highly questionable refereeing decisions, starting with the controversial calls in their match against Espanyol and the contentious red card shown to Jude Bellingham against Osasuna. These incidents significantly influenced the outcomes of those games, raising serious concerns over the standard of officiating. Now, the issue has extended beyond Real Madrid, as seen in Barcelona's narrow 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano. The match sparked controversy when Barcelona were awarded a penalty for a challenge that appeared similar to one that was denied for Rayo. To make matters worse, Vallecano's equaliser was disallowed, with the referee citing obstruction when there was little evidence to support the call. Rayo Vallecano manager Inigo Perez was visibly frustrated with the decisions but opted to remain silent in public. His reaction, however, was telling. It further highlights how the problem of inconsistent officiating is affecting multiple teams, not just Real Madrid. With more clubs stepping forward, it is evident that La Liga can no longer ignore these concerns. Real Madrid's efforts to bring attention to the issue have paved the way for broader discussions, and now, there is an increasing push for action. The much-talked-about refereeing commission, which was proposed to address these matters, must now become operational without further delay. Clubs across the league are demanding a structured plan to ensure fairer officiating, and this could mark the beginning of a long-overdue reform in Spanish football. Real Madrid initiated this movement, and as more teams rally behind the cause, La Liga will be forced to take the necessary steps to restore credibility to its refereeing standards.
Yahoo
16-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rayo Vallecano boss sees his methods in Hansi Flick's Barcelona
Rayo Vallecano will be ready for the challenge of Barcelona tomorrow night according to head coach Inigo Perez. Perez steered the club to La Liga safety at the end of last season after replacing Francisco in Vallecas. Rayo finished five points above the drop zone as Perez justified the faith shown in him despite having no previous La Liga experience. His tight-knit relationship with the players was key as he elevated from a coach to the top job and Rayo are storming up the La Liga table in 2025. They head to Catalonia on the back of three successive league wins and an unbeaten La Liga streak of nine matches stretching back to the start of December. That has pushed them up to sixth place in the table which could be enough for a first European qualification in over two decades. Perez has maintained the core values of hard work and connection with the fans in his players and it is yielding maximum results. 'We're in very good shape but we face a rival that has no weakness,' as per reports from Diario Sport. 'I think we can win tomorrow, and that's not an empty statement, but we have to be aware it is one of the hardest places to go and play in La Liga. Alongside his confidence over the potential for a shock result, Perez also praised the first season of Hansi Flick, who has channelled some Rayo-isms into his team. 'Flick is able to convince Barcelona players to run like they play for Rayo. That's impressive, that he can convince players of that level that physical effort brings you closer to you goals.' If Rayo can pull off a bold win at Barcelona, it will be their first away win there since 2022, after losing just one of their last four home games against La Blaugrana.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Rayo Vallecano close in on European spot as winning streak continues
Rayo Vallecano remain on course to clinch European qualification for the first time in over two decades. Inigo Perez's side sealed a third successive La Liga win as they battled past rock bottom Real Valladolid to move up sixth in the table. That run comes as part of a nine-game unbeaten run in league action, stretching back to December, and dreams of Europe are on the horizon. Rayo have not featured in European competition since reaching the 2001 UEFA Cup quarter finals, where they lost out to Spanish rivals Alaves, who were beaten by Liverpool in the final. Victory over Valladolid is the latest step as Perez aims to break a barrier in Vallecas. Neither side could carve out a first half breakthrough before the half time interval, with Isi Palazon denied, and Sergio Guardiola heading off target for the home team. Rayo stepped up the tempo after restart, as Real Valladolid dug in for a draw in the capital, and the hosts converted their one big chance late on in the contest. Jorge de Frutos' cross caused issues inside the Valladolid box and Alvaro Garcia kept his cool to lash home the winner. "The deadlock is finally broken!" 🎙️ Álvaro García with a 70th-minute opener for Rayo Vallecano against Real Valladolid 👏 — Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) February 7, 2025 📍 Rayo Vallecano, Vallecas, Madrid… ¿EUROPA? El gol de Álvaro García para mantener muy vivos los sueños de los Rayistas 🔥#LALIGAenDAZN ⚽️ — DAZN España (@DAZN_ES) February 7, 2025 Another three points on the board for Rayo puts them into the spot currently reserved for the UEFA Conference League, depending on the result of the Copa del Rey final later in the campaign, but it could be enough for the Europa League. With no cup or European action on the schedule, Rayo are fully focused on their La Liga run-in, ahead of a trip to Barcelona on February 17. That is followed by home games against fifth place Villarreal and Sevilla, as Real Valladolid remain eight points from safety at this stage, ahead of hosting Sevilla next weekend. Images via Getty Images/One Football
