Real Madrid vs. Rayo Vallecano: Key Issues and Decisions That Will Shape Game
Other than the fact they both play in white and are based in the Spanish capital, Real Madrid and Rayo Vallecano don't have very much in common.
Rayo play in the working-class Vallecas neighbourhood and their ground only has three sides, while Madrid's Bernabeu is one of Europe's most impressive stadiums and is in the wealthier Chamartin district.
Their respective homes are reflected in their spending power, too.
Madrid can throw money at the world's best while Rayo have to beg, steal and borrow to build a side capable of staying in the top flight year on year.
Despite the resources available to him, though, Paco Jemez does a very good job and his side play expansive, modern football.
And on Saturday evening it will be 11 against 11 in Chamartin and Rayo, who have lost their last six matches against Madrid since returning to La Liga, will be probing for an upset.
Here are some things to look out for in the game.
Gareth Bale's Back
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After a 30-minute appearance against Liverpool on Tuesday night, Gareth Bale is ready to play from the beginning when Real Madrid face Rayo Vallecano at the Bernabeu.
And Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed the Welshman will start, per Marca:
"He played for half an hour and felt good. I thought it came too soon for him to start; he'll start on Saturday, but we won't be fielding 12 players!"
Having sat out five wins, during which Madrid hit the net 19 times, Bale has some making up to do to make sure he reestablishes himself in the side.
He likes playing against Rayo, too.
Last season he scored twice in the 5-0 win against them and reduced full-back Anaitz Arbilla to tears in the 3-2 win in Vallecas.
More of the same could be on the cards this weekend.
Brave Rayo Vallecano
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Rayo Vallecano are often smothered in praise for the way they play against Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Under Jose Ramon Sandoval in their first season back in La Liga, but more so since Paco Jemez took charge of the Madrid-based club in the summer of 2012.
Rather than shut up shop, they stick to their usual style—open and attacking.
Jemez stands by those principles so much, he once said he'd be embarrassed to play as defensively as Celtic did once in a Champions League match against Barca, per Football Espana:
“I could play like Celtic did, but I would drop my head in shame when I looked in the eyes of fans.
"It would be contrary to the views of our fans.”
As admirable as that is, though, it has failed to produce results.
Since returning to Spain's top flight in 2011, they've played either Madrid or Barca on 13 occasions and they've lost every time.
Los Blancos have produced 6-0 and 5-0 wins, while Barca have even managed to score seven.
In total, the accumulative score of their results against the Clasico duo is an exceedingly high 50-5.
With Madrid in such fine fettle, that's likely to increase on Saturday evening.
Isco in Deeper Midfield Role?
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Given Carlo Ancelotti's favoured XI earlier this season didn't include Isco, he's one of the candidates to miss out as Gareth Bale returns.
However, the former Malaga man may instead find himself handed a different role.
Madrid's Italian boss, when questioned whether he still saw Isco as a false nine, suggested that he could use him deeper in midfield, in the place of Luka Modric or Toni Kroos, per Spanish language newspaper Marca.
One of the major improvements of Isco's game in recent weeks has been on the defensive side.
Clearly keen to work hard and find his place in Ancelotti's system, the new version of the 22-year-old has had Madrid fans purring and chants of "Isco" regularly echoing around the Bernabeu.
And it looks like it could lead to a new role against Rayo on Saturday. If not, then it is certainly something Ancelotti will try in the future.
Unlucky 13?
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The number 13 often draws connotations of bad luck, but it's unlikely to prove a stumbling block for Real Madrid against Rayo Vallecano.
A 1-0 win over Liverpool on Tuesday was Los Blancos's 12th straight victory and they're moving ever closer to the club record of 15—which was set by Jose Mourinho (2011-12) and Miguel Munoz (1960-61).
Given the relentless nature of their current forum—they’ve scored at least three times in nine of those wins—that record is in danger.
After Rayo, presuming Madrid win, they have two away matches to equal it: Eibar and Basel.
Then, if they reach 15 straight victories, they'll travel to Malaga with the chance to add to the growing claims that this is the best Madrid side ever.
