[clutchbrief.com — article generated from brief]
Rayo Vallecano's problem is already obvious. They have conceded 14 goals in five league games, the highest total in La Liga so far this season, and they go into Rayo Vallecano vs Espanyol after a 4-1 defeat at Real Madrid. Three penalties have also gone against them, more than any other side in the division.
Rayo's defensive start
That kind of start leaves little room for debate. Rayo Vallecano are 16th with four points from five matches, and the defensive numbers sit behind that position. Béñat San Jose needs a response quickly, because the next league game is already another test of whether the back line can hold together.
The attack is not the main issue. Sergio Camello has six league goals and Unai Lopez has three assists, so there is still enough going forward for Rayo to compete in games. The problem is that they keep giving opponents a way back in, and Espanyol do not look like a side likely to waste it.
Espanyol's stronger start
Espanyol arrive with the cleaner opening. They sit seventh in La Liga with seven points from two wins, one draw and two defeats after five games, and they beat Osasuna 2-0 in their last league game, with Roberto Fernandez scoring both goals early.
Manolo Gonzalez has a team that has conceded only five goals in five matches, which is a far more stable base than Rayo can claim right now. That makes the visit awkward for the hosts, especially with the game being played at the Estadio de Butarque in Leganes as reported by Sports Mole.
Rayo do not need a grand fix, just a much better defensive night. If they repeat the same errors, Espanyol are well placed to take advantage and extend the gap between the two sides after six games.
Written by Daniel Hartley with AI-assisted research, cross-checked against 1 outlet. How we work →
