Saturday, 21 September 2013, Vallecas, Madrid.
Pedro nets a hat-trick and Cesc Fabregas joins him on the scoresheet, as Barcelona escapes with a 4-0 win against Rayo Vallecano.
Referee Jesus Perez Montero blows the final whistle and the home fans explode into applause and cheers.
The decibels from the fanatics’ stands arise. Bukaneros once again share their message: ‘Vallekas es de Primera’.
A quick glance at the match statistics confirms that message. Rayo is the first team that out-possessed Barcelona, after 317 games.
Los Franjirrojos achieved a remarkable 55% of possession, outnumbering Barca in both pass accuracy statistics (79% to 75%) and successful passes (344 to 263).
The statement was made loud and clear, shocking the whole football world; indeed ‘Vallecas belongs to the Primera Division’.
Fast-forward two years: Saturday 17 October 2015, Camp Nou, Barcelona.
Neymar and Luis Suarez have taken over after Lionel Messi’s injury, carrying Barcelona on their shoulders for another game. The Brazilian scores four goals and provides the ‘Pistolero’ with another one.
Barcelona defeats Rayo Vallecano 5-2, but once again the rebellious team from the province of Madrid is brought in the spotlight. Vallecano wins the possession (57.5% to Barca’s 42.5%), completes eight more shots on goal than the Catalans (22 to 14) and achieves an 83% percentage of successful passes, against a squad that has graduated with an honours degree in passing.
Rayo appointed Paco Jemez back in 2012, with the purpose of maintaining the club’s position in the first tier of Spanish football. Instead of producing a team focused on cynical defence, which could provide the club with the security of retaining a spot in the top-flight, he undertook a whole different approach to the game.
Based on Pep Guardiola’s impressive tiki-taka, Jemez introduced a team that would look in their opponents’ eyes, producing an attacking philosophy and refusing to ‘throw the towel’ into the pitch, no matter how frightening the name of the rivals is.
Rayo’s beautiful performances have raised a few eyebrows around Spain and several managers became fond of Jemez team’s football style. Pep Guardiola admitted in his book ‘Pep Confidential’ that Vallecano is one of the three teams that can successfully implement his ball-possession football philosophy, with Barcelona and Bayern being the other two.
Meanwhile, Luis Enrique fully praised his compatriot, before Barcelona’s 5-1 win against Rayo early in March.
“I played with him, but I never imagined that behind that tough centre half there was a coach with such an attacking mentality,” Enrique said.
“He has shown that he can be brave and that even with a small budget you can play attractive football. He is one of the best coaches in the competition and it would be good to see him at a bigger club with more potential.”
‘Lucho’ also highlighted the mentality that Jemez inculcated into his team, saying that Rayo are: “one of the teams with most personality in the league, one of the few teams who will be challenging for possession.”
According to squawka.com, Vallecano marks a 52% percentage of possession, with 306.71 successful passes and an accuracy percentage of 77% per game.
Although Los Franjirrojos are among the top five teams in La Liga in terms of ball possession, they uncomfortably sit one position above the relegation zone.
After a six-game undefeated run, Vallecano’s blows against Barcelona and their Catalan counterparts Espanyol, brought Paco Jemez and his attacking philosophy under heavy criticism.
Jemez did not hide under responsibility, publicly –but indirectly- offering his resignation as a solution for his team’s ongoing issues.
“I’d understand if the club looked for a coach for the last games. It’s not a problem of my players but me,” Jemez stated.
“Maybe I haven’t found the right combinations. I think the club has to look for something.”
Albeit Rayo’s attack being one of the smoothest in the league, creating plenty more chances and scoring more goals than their relegation opponents, their defence is plainly under-performing.
Vallecano have conceded more goals than any team in the league – 60 in total – with their backline making 0.50 errors leading goals conceded per game.
Jemez has struggled introducing a consistent back-four in his 4-2-3-1 system throughout the season, making numerous changes in his defensive band.
The amount of injuries is only one of the major problems that the manager had to fight back, particularly when we are talking about Rayo’s most reliable goalkeeper, Toño.
Before his injury in November, the keeper from Alicante had managed to secure three clean sheets in ten games. Since then none of his replacements has achieved a single clean sheet.
Although the majority of players have produced unstable performances, however, certain individuals have been overwhelming.
During the summer transfer season Jemez singed Real Madrid’s talented defender Diego Llorente on loan. Rayo’s manager ability to spot skilled prospects and offering them the chance to shine, has been apparent throughout his reign. Over the years he has managed to develop a great number of skilful starlets, including the likes of Diego Costa, Michu, Leo Baptistao and Saul.
After impressing in Real Madrid’s second and third team, the central defender worked on his potential in Vallecas and secured a first-eleven spot for himself.
Featuring in 26 games in La Liga, Llorente is regarded as one of the best defenders in the league, sitting at the third place of the list of duels won with 153 – only behind Atletico Madrid pair Diego Godin and Filipe Luis.
Keeping in mind the fact that Atletico’s defence could be described as the meanest in Europe at the moment, it is understandable why reports from Spain claim that Zinedine Zidane looks forward to bringing the wonderkid back to the Bernabeu this summer.
On the other end of the pitch, another player that assists Rayo’s effort to avoid relegation is the Venezuelan striker, Miku. After breaking the team’s record of being the only player in the club’s history to score goals in five consecutive games, Miku, was named the best footballer of La Liga for February.
With a shot accuracy percentage of 50%, Miku has created eight chances, providing his team with five goals and two assists in 12 games.
Although clearly not lacking of talent, Vallecano’s squad foundation relies on the teams’ experienced individuals.
Along with the Venezuelan international, another player seems to rejuvenate himself this season. Roberto Trashorras leads his club, orchestrating the midfield in an extraordinary manner.
According to squawka.com, Vallecano’s captain has placed himself among the best midfielders in La Liga. He has provided his team with six assists and two goals, creating 51 chances in 27 games and averaging 57.59 successful passes per game (more than Sergio Busquets, Koke and Gabi).
During a recent interview, Trashorras joined the broad list of football individuals who have praised Jemez over the years, taking his admiration on Paco’s abilities a step further, to recommend Rayo’s manager for Real Madrid’s dugout position.
“Rayo wouldn’t be what it is without Paco. He’s a big team coach. I would definitely recommend Florentino Perez hire Jemez. He’d do very well there,” the experienced Trashorras professed.
Apart from being the major link between the manager and squad, his captaincy responsibilities mean that he has to achieve a healthy connection between the players and the fans as well.
Through various meetings over the last couple of years, representatives of Bukaneros, Rayo’s hardcore group of fans, have expressed their concerns about the federation banning supporters’ flags, banners and drums.
Over the past few months, Bukaneros have been through ongoing conflicts with Tebas’ administration, resulting to their abstention from the stands.
Despite their absence and the eminent solidarity from the rest of the fans, the average percentage of attendance is placing Rayo fans among the most loyal supporters in La Liga, with 77.3% of Vallecas’ stadium being filled so far this season.
After the game against Celta earlier this year, Jemez welcomed Bukaneros back to the stands, realising that collectivity is the main factor that can assist the club achieving their target of avoiding relegation.
Rayo Vallecano’s uniqueness relies on the concrete bond between the local community and the team. Paco Jemez aims to denature this link, through his football philosophy of playing charming football; football that leaves the fans with a sweet taste when they check out from the terraces after every game.
Does the team from the labour province of Madrid deserve a position in the league?
Carlo Ancelotti, one of the most successful managers in world football, answered this question two years ago during one of his interviews as Real Madrid’s manager.
“We have to respect a team who have a philosophy and apply that philosophy against every team.”
“They have a very clear plan to play attacking football and it’s a good plan and a positive one.
“They have a style, and to explain what Spanish football is like abroad Rayo Vallecano are a prime example.
“They play football against every team and fight for survival.”
It remains to be seen whether Jemez will retain his dugout seat, stick to his football plan and prove that the fans’ conception is true; that indeed ‘Vallekas es de Primera’.
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