Rayo chiefs oversee Vallecas pitch push to host Atlético as decision nears | OneFootball

Work at Vallecas accelerated on Thursday after a break in the rain. LaLiga, president Raúl Martín Presa, sporting director David Cobeño and the team captains oversaw Royalverd’s push to make Sunday’s Rayo v Atlético playable at home.

According to El Periódico Mediterráneo, Rayo have enlisted help from Real Valladolid and, via an agreement with a Conference participant, are using growth lamps to stabilise the pitch ruled unfit for last Saturday’s Rayo v Real Oviedo. The rearranged game is set for Wednesday, the fourth of March, at 19:00.

For now there is no definitive decision and the club are prioritising the Atlético fixture over finalising the postponed match. Any further issue with the Vallecas surface could force an alternative venue.

Plan B is Butarque, arranged with Leganés, who play in Córdoba this weekend and whose ground has become home to Spanish rugby after a federation agreement. Many Rayo supporters oppose leaving Vallecas.

The first team worked in the gym on Thursday. Several academy sides trained on patched pitches, and Íñigo Pérez raised those conditions with Javier Portillo at the Ciudad Deportiva Fundación Rayo Vallecano. Unai López was the only player to work alone on the grass.

Key hours lie ahead, with a final call expected Friday and heavy rain forecast. Despite that, the club, having processed refunds from the Real Madrid fixture, are confident the surface will be acceptable. The pitch was relaid only days before last Saturday, and the lack of lead time led to cancellation on safety grounds.

Source: El Periódico Mediterráneo