adminwealthy city rivals Real Madrid at the Bernabeu tomorrow.
A thoroughly deserved 2-1 win at home to second-placed Atletico Madrid last weekend prompted talk of a realistic chance of a place in Europe next term and enhanced Rayo’s reputation as one of Spain’s “giant killers”.
The modest club, who are in administration and whose 15 000-seater stadium has only three stands with one end used for advertising, are transformed from the side that were mired in the third-tier in Spanish football between 2004 and 2008.
They narrowly avoided relegation last season after coming up from the second division but under the guidance of coach Paco Jemez and fired by the goals of captain Piti and fellow forward Leo Baptistao, they have become a genuine force, with wins at Valencia, Athletic Bilbao and Malaga.
“We are now in a situation where we only have to look forward,” Jemez told a news conference this week.
“We are not going to be satisfied with what we have done and we want to continue making history,” the 42-year-old added. “We have to enjoy everything we are doing.”
They face a monumental task at champions Real, who are undefeated at the Bernabeu in all competitions this season but have suffered erratic form away from home and are four points behind Atletico and 16 behind leaders Barcelona.
Jemez said Rayo would not be changing their free-flowing playing style, which has drawn comparisons with Barca, and would be going out to enjoy themselves tomorrow (10pm).
“We don’t need to be scared in any way, we just have to show what we have been showing up to now,” he said.
“We are going to go there without any kind of complex with a lot of desire to enjoy ourselves and play a good match.”
Meanwhile, Barcelona full-back Adriano has said they won’t be taking their trip to Granada this weekend lightly, despite holding a 12-point advantage at the top of the table.
The Catalans stretched their lead with a 6-1 demolition of Getafe last weekend and the Brazilian believes it is better to maintain that kind of form heading into their Champions League tie against AC Milan next Wednesday than rest players.
“We know we have a good advantage over Atletico and Real Madrid, but we cannot forget the league,” he said. If we take our foot off the accelerator they will be there.
We cannot stop. Every game we go for it 100 percent. “We know we are entering the final straight of the Champions League, but we have an important match on Saturday,” he added, with the southern side having beaten Real Madrid and Deportivo in the last fortnight.
“It will be a difficult match, they are in very good form coming off the back of two consecutive victories.” —Soccernet.
Online Reporter