Coach Andoni Iraola of Rayo Vallecano spoke at a press conference ahead of Sunday’s match. On Monday, 21 hours from now, his team will host Elche CF at the Vallecas stadium. He described the upcoming fixture as a demanding test and praised Elche as a “good team.” Iraola attributed Elche’s recent difficulties to a tough schedule in the opening six rounds, which has compressed preparation time and forced difficult decisions about how to line up the attack and the defense.
“This is an important and demanding game against a direct rival,” Iraola said, outlining the challenge Elche presents. He noted that Elche’s squad features quality players in the offensive phase and has faced strong opponents already this season. He explained that early planning for the match would be shaped by the evolving read of the opposition, including whether to deploy two forwards or a single striker, and whether to field three or four defenders. He stressed that the first meetings with Elche would set the tone, but there is time to prepare given a two-week window. “This is a crucial encounter,” he added, emphasizing the need for clear ideas and collective effort from his players.
Rayo Vallecano’s coach cautioned that the league is highly competitive this season, with newly promoted sides earning points and pushing established clubs for every result. He pointed to last season when several teams finished near the bottom yet stayed competitive, noting that Vallecano must maximize every chance and maintain focus throughout the 90 minutes. The message was simple: grind out results, stay disciplined, and push hard when opportunities arise.
Iraola also commented on Elche’s current form, describing it as contingent on the calendar rather than a fixed position. He observed that several teams are tightly grouped and that Elche’s situation could swing with a favorable or difficult run of fixtures. He highlighted the emergence of strong attacking options for Elche, naming players such as Lucas Boyé, Roger, and Ponce as leaders in the frontline, with other attacking options available to vary the approach. The coach added that Elche’s start has been tough, yet the opponents have shown the quality that justified their standing last season, leaving the Vallecano squad ready to compete with confidence and resilience.