Rioja, a scorer who knows how to apologise | OneFootball

Luis Rioja has featured in every league game this season except the visit to the Metropolitano to face Atlético. In recent weeks he has started and made an impact on the wing. On Sunday he is set to face former club Deportivo Alavés at Mestalla, the side he left for Valencia after five seasons.

AS notes that Alavés remains a club he loves, with many friends inside. When they came to the Comunitat to play Villarreal, he visited their hotel and shared hugs with the squad. The other team he holds dear is Betis, the club he has supported since childhood.

Since joining Valencia he has scored six league goals. Two have come against Betis and one against Alavés.

He could add to that tally against a club close to his heart. Last season, after scoring a penalty against Alavés, he raised his hands to apologise to their fans.

Against Betis the reaction has varied. His first goal against them this season at Mestalla was celebrated, an important 1-1 in the 82', shortly after Cucho Hernández had scored. He drew some criticism from Heliópolis, and in the return game at La Cartuja he put Valencia ahead but chose not to celebrate because Pepelu had just missed a penalty.

Source: AS