Previews
DOM 03.05.2015
RCD Espanyol and Rayo Vallecano face off in battle without pressure in Sunday’s morning game, corresponding to matchday 35 of the Liga BBVS. Both sides go into the game having done the tough bit, as they have both already ensured survival.
The Catalan side who are on 45 points, three ahead of the Vallecas side, are still dreaming of reaching sixth place that is currently occupied by Villarreal CF on 54 points. To achieve that, they will be aiming for their second successive victory following Thursday’s win against Granada CF. On the other hand, after a draw against Sevilla FC and Valencia CF, the Vallecas side will be aiming to get back to winning ways in order to finish as high as possible in the table. Also, they will want revenge for the 1-3 home defeat they suffered earlier in the season against Espanyol.
Team news
The Espanyol squad is largely unchanged as Felipe Mattioni is still injured while the Mexican central defender Héctor Moreno has returned following his ban. Rayo are without the winger Gäel Kakuta, who had played in all of the Madrid side’s games up until now and is being rested. The midfielders Mohamed Fatau and Alejandro Pozuelo have been left out of the squad due to a management choice and the defender Raúl Baena and winger Álex Moreno have been brought into the squad. The goalkeeper Cristian Álvarez, the defenders Antonio Amaya and Abdoulaye Ba, and the forward Leo Baptistão, are still injured.
Thoughts from the dugout
Sergio González, the Espanyol coach, talked about the option of playing in European competitions. "The aim is to get three points against Rayo. Europe is there but we see it in the distance. The important thing is to develop in every game and improve", said Sergio. The Rayo manager Paco Jémez said the following about the clash: "Espanyol are going to give us a difficult game. We have to play well. A draw doesn’t do anything for us".
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