The Rayo Report: Rayo Vallecano 4-1 Real Valladolid - The new Rayo vs The old Rayo (12th October, 2017)
Rayo Vallecano vs Real Valladolid. Starting lineups. Both managers went with similar lineups as the week before. Míchel made no changes from the side that lost 2-1 at Huesca. And Luis César Sampedro made a solitary change, bringing in Toni Villa for Pablo Hervías on the right wing. This was a comprehensive victory for Rayo, who ended the game with just 36% possession (40% in the first half and 32% in the second). More importantly, it was characterized by both managers making multiple changes, both tactical and personnel-wise, throughout the game. First half set up Real Valladolid went with a very Rayo-esque 4-2-3-1 formation - and they played very much like Rayo too. Borja Fernández sat in the "Trashorras" role, dropping deep into the defense and (trying to) dictating play. Luismi sat further forward trying to break up play. Óscar Plano sat on the left wing, occasionally trying to dictate Valladolid's attacking game but very much ended up hugging the touc...