Madrid/San Sebastián, 25 abr (EFE). Di Rayo Vallecano, wey get historical semi-final for Conference League for five days time, dey hope to secure dem survival with a win for Vallecas against Real Sociedad. Di Real Sociedad, wey don achieve dem target by winning Copa del Rey and securing European ticket, want forget di celebration hangover with a victory.
Di Madrid side, wey get 38 points, dey eager to get a win wey go carry dem pass di 40-point mark, wey di dressing room believe go make salvation almost sure. For dat match, Iñigo Pérez go fit count on French defender Florian Lejeune and Senegalese Nobil Mendy again for di centre of defense, as dem miss di game against Espanyol three days ago due to suspension. Dem return go make Pathé Ciss play as defensive midfielder and Dutch central defender Jozhua Vertrouwd drop to bench.
Dani Cárdenas go continue for goal because Argentine Augusto Batalla dey suspended, but Batalla go play for Conference League against Strasbourg. Di left winger Álvaro García no go dey, as he injure for di last European game and dem no expect am back soon. So Uruguayan ‘Pacha’ Espino and Moroccan Ilias Akhomach dey options for dat left side.
For di other side, Real Sociedad, wey become Copa del Rey champions for Sevilla one week ago, dey come Vallecas with di only aim to finish di season well and start next campaign with good momentum. Qualifying for Champions League look impossible, and with Europa League ticket already secure, di Donostiarra side go play di rest of di season without pressure. But dat no mean dem go come as tourist for Madrid, so dem expect a strong lineup to try beat Iñigo Pérez team.
Pellegrino Matarazzo go miss Jon Karrikaburu, Gonçalo Guedes, Igor Zubeldia, Álvaro Odriozola, and Iñaki Rupérez due to injuries or suspension. But Duje Caleta-Car go fit play after di club appeal against di yellow card wey he see against Getafe. Mikel Aramburu and Sergio Gómez, di later after serving suspension, go return to di starting lineup for di full-back positions. Jon Gorrotxategi and Beñat Turrientes dey expected to join Carlos Soler for midfield.
Without Guedes because of a sprain, everything dey point to Take Kubo repeating for di starting eleven alongside Ander Barrenetxea and Mikel Oyarzabal. Luka Sucic go be doubt until last minute due to knee discomfort.
Probable lineups: Rayo Vallecano: Cárdenas; Ratiu, Lejeune, Mendy, Chavarría; Pathé Ciss, Gumbau; Ilias, Unai López, Isi; De Frutos. Real Sociedad: Remiro; Aramburu, Jon Martín, Caleta-Car, Sergio Gómez; Turrientes, Gorrotxategi, Soler; Barrenetxea, Kubo, Oyarzabal. Referee: José Luis Guzmán (Andalusian committee). Stadium: Vallecas. Time: 14:00 (13:00 GMT).
Iñigo Pérez talk say: “Dis be di first day wey I think say with win we go fit dey very close to salvation. Dis match dey crucial for di moment wey we dey and for wetin dey come.” He talk about di opponent: “Right now, together with Barcelona, dem be di two most powerful teams. Tomorrow we dey expect one of di best teams for di championship. Dem want dey for Europe.” About di fine line between success and failure: “Dat fine line sometimes no understand justice. E don happen to us all year. We don deserve more points. I believe a lot for di process and for wetin e fit give us.” On Batalla suspension: “He see di fifth yellow card and no go dey for bench. His injury only dey cure with patience and time. E dey good for us. Na moment where injuries dey pile up. We go manage am.” About Real Sociedad winning Copa del Rey: “Dem be mirror wey we fit look at ourselves. Some time ago dem dey share position with us for di table. Dem don get wetin dem deserve. Always when dis happen e dey nice to see. You feel say you too fit do am. Like Mallorca, Osasuna.” Thinking about league and Europe: “E dey simpler than e look. If you think about Strasbourg, tomorrow you lose and e affect you for where you dey put all your energy. If we reach 41 points e go help us for Thursday.” About strikers scoring one goal each and nine points: “Beyond di position wey dem dey play, I dey keep say every time dem don intervene dem don help di team. We see di other day say each one get important place.” About Mumin: “We get attachment to Mumin. E dey very sensitive. Without talking much e dey well-liked and to achieve dat dey very important. E dey speak well about how e be as person. E don struggle to overcome dat important injury. If e play e go be for very difficult moments.” About Rayo overperforming: “Dere be important part wey be di debt wey we generate with our fans. We dey play to settle a debt, seeing how dem dey support us for travels, for LaLiga. Dere be a very important group for terms of performance and human. E make a set of traits wey dey help you perform. No excuses. We dey overperforming and all help dey welcome.” About di president saying he want am to be “di Cholo of Rayo”: “I go try maintain my narrative from di other day. Nobody dey more important than di collective. I go focus on Real Sociedad.”
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