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Match Readiness Report: Athletic Bilbao vs Rayo Vallecano
1. Main Players Comparison
Athletic Bilbao
Core: Iñaki Williams (35 apps, 2654 mins, 6G, 8A), Dani Vivian (32 apps, 2605 mins, 4G), Alex Berenguer (36 apps, 2354 mins, 6G, 7A).
Midfield: Mikel Jauregizar (34 apps, 2245 mins, 2G, 1A), Nico Williams (29 apps, 2001 mins, 5G, 5A).
Attack: Gorka Guruzeta (36 apps, 1845 mins, 7G, 2A), Oihan Sancet (29 apps, 1628 mins, 15G, 1A – currently injured).
Output: ~41 goals, ~24 assists across main unit.
Stability: Strong attacking trident with Iñaki, Nico, and Sancet, but Sancet’s absence significantly reduces finishing and link play.
Rayo Vallecano
Core: Florian Lejeune (37 apps, 3326 mins, 2G, 3A), Andrei Ratiu (35 apps, 3067 mins, 2G, 3A), Pep Chavarría (34 apps, 2584 mins, 1G).
Midfield: Isi Palazón (35 apps, 2169 mins, 4G, 4A), Pathé Ciss (33 apps, 2147 mins, 4G, 1A).
Attack: Álvaro García (36 apps, 2570 mins, 5G, 4A), Jorge de Frutos (36 apps, 2512 mins, 6G, 3A).
Output: ~23 goals, ~16 assists across main players.
Stability: Balanced contributions from wide areas, but no single prolific scorer; reliance on collective output.
Verdict: Athletic Bilbao shows stronger individual firepower, while Rayo relies on spread-out attacking returns without a dominant striker.
2. New Players Comparison
Athletic Bilbao: Jesús Areso (36 apps, 3088 mins, RB anchor), Robert Navarro (23 apps, 1286 mins, 1G), Íñigo Ruiz de Galarreta (26 apps, 1490 mins, 4A). Useful reinforcements with defensive stability and ball progression.
Rayo Vallecano: Fran Pérez (26 apps, 554 mins), Pedro Díaz (26 apps, 1207 mins, 3G). Adds rotation depth, but impact remains modest.
Verdict: Bilbao’s new inclusions provided more consistent minutes and balance, while Rayo’s new players offer depth but less end product.
3. Substitutes Comparison
Athletic Bilbao Subs: De Marcos (26 apps, 1563 mins, 4A), Unai Gómez (32 apps, 1281 mins, 1G, 3A). Total: ~2G, ~7A.
Rayo Vallecano Subs: Sergio Camello (23 apps, 1140 mins, 3G, 2A), Randy Nteka (24 apps, 1138 mins, 3G), Iván Balliu (25 apps, 1191 mins, 1A). Total: ~6G, ~3A.
Verdict: Rayo’s bench provides more direct goal impact, while Bilbao’s subs lean towards creative and defensive cover.
4. Consolidated Quality Scorecard
Category | Athletic Bilbao Rating | Rayo Vallecano Rating |
Main Players | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (41G, 24A, Williams + Sancet threat) | ⭐⭐⭐ (23G, 16A, spread-out attack) |
New Players | ⭐⭐⭐ (Areso consistency, Navarro depth) | ⭐⭐ (Pedro Díaz steady, but modest output) |
Substitutes | ⭐⭐ (7A, limited goal output) | ⭐⭐⭐ (6G, 3A, Camello & Nteka) |
Overall Depth | Strong frontline, weakened by Sancet injury | Solid depth but no prolific scorer |
Key Weakness | Loss of Sancet reduces creativity & goals | Reliance on collective finishing, no standout striker |
5. Injuries & Suspensions (with impact)
Athletic Bilbao:
- Yeray Álvarez (21 apps, 1781 mins, 1G) – Suspended. Defensive depth weakened.
- Beñat Prados (30 apps, 1721 mins, 1G) – Thigh injury, out until early Sept. Midfield rotations reduced.
- Oihan Sancet (29 apps, 1628 mins, 15G, 1A) – Knee injury until late Sept. Major blow, removes top scorer.
- Unai Gómez (32 apps, 1281 mins, 1G, 3A) – Muscle injury, out until early Sept. Depth option missing.
- Unai Eguiluz – Long-term cruciate ligament injury (until Feb 2026), no first-team impact.
Rayo Vallecano:
- Abdul Mumin (24 apps, 2020 mins, 2G, 1A) – Cruciate ligament injury, out until late Sept. Key CB absence.
- Marco de las Sias – Muscle injury, minor squad impact.
6. Predicted Outcome
Momentum & Depth: Bilbao’s overall attack is stronger, but Sancet’s absence removes their most decisive scorer.
Balance: Rayo has a spread-out attack with García, Isi, and De Frutos contributing, but lacks a clinical finisher.
Defensive Solidity: Bilbao’s defense slightly stretched with Yeray out; Rayo also misses Mumin, weakening their CB rotation.
Likely Result: Athletic Bilbao’s frontline still gives them the edge, but Rayo’s compact structure makes it close.
Expected Scoreline: Athletic Bilbao 2 – 1 Rayo Vallecano