Football Season Guide

Rayo Vallecano had a second impressive season in a row, following their 12th placed finish from 2021/22 with an 11th placed finish in 2022/23. However, their coach Andoni Iraola decided to walk away from the club in the summer, while several important players departed too, such as Sergio Camello, Fran Garcia, Santi Comesana and Alejandro Catena. Coming in to take the Rayo Vallecano dugout is Francisco, which is hardly an inspiring appointment considering he was sacked by Elche last season. As for replacing the departed players, Aridane Hernandez and Alfonso Espino have been signed, but aren’t at the level of the men whose shoes they’re filling. This really could be a difficult season for Rayo Vallecano, as they aim to overcome the losses of Iraola and of several starters. Their main strength last season was their pressing and intensity, especially at home on their small pitch, but that might be harder to replicate this term. Their away form was already poor last year, so that’s an issue to fix as well. Then, there’s the issue of Raul de Tomás, the striker the club spent most of its budget on to bring back last year, but with limited results. Still only 28, if De Tomas can rediscover the kind of form he showed in the past then Rayo Vallecano may have the firepower to have another good season. Otherwise, it could be a struggle.