Rayo Vallecano pass the final test at Butarque | OneFootball

The eagerness to return to Vallecas produced a flawless first half with the job almost done

Rayo Vallecano ended their exile at the Ontime Butarque Stadium with a hard-fought 2-1 win over RCD Espanyol, built on a first half of outstanding attacking efficiency and a strong defensive display after the break. The early goals put the game on track on a night when the squad once again showed the cohesion of the group in the face of logistical adversity. However, the atmosphere in the stands once again reflected the institutional divide: attendance fell to a historic low of 3,742 spectators due to the very limited window for in-person ticket exchanges, the weekday kickoff, and the ongoing supporters’ boycott, which led to constant chants of protest against the management of Raúl Martín Presa.

On an individual level, Álvaro García reached the mark of 50 goals and 50 assists for Rayo: "I honestly didn’t know, but I’m very happy. I’ve been here for many years and hopefully there will be many more". Adrià Pedrosa scored the second goal against his former club and did not celebrate it out of respect: "The moment I scored, I was going to apologize; Espanyol gave me everything". The full-back analyzed the drop-off after halftime, noting that "in the first half we were clearly superior, but in the second they switched to a back five and it became a bit more difficult for us". Meanwhile, Mujaid Sadick reflected on his first start by highlighting the team’s collective solidity: "In the second half we tried to hold on, they scored one, but we worked like a family and managed to hold onto the result".

Despite taking seven out of nine points in Leganés, the squad insisted on the need to return to Vallecas as soon as possible. Álvaro García was clear about the dressing room’s feelings: "It’s what everyone in the locker room wants. We’re really looking forward to being with our people at our stadium, and hopefully it will be soon". Pedrosa agreed that "Vallecas could be much fuller", while Mujaid expressed his excitement about making his debut in the neighborhood: "I’m really looking forward to playing in our stadium with our people". With the administrative sanction lifted, Rayo will travel to El Sadar before confirming their return to their home ground after the international break.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.