Ernesto Galán's praises have been sung many times. But they're not enough - he gives Rayo the solidity they need and is silently becoming an essential part of the team.
By being a defensive right-back, a complete opposite to his predecessor Tito, Ernesto becomes the third center-back while Rayo have possession, thus freeing up Trashorras who would usually drop deeper as the third center-back to move further upfield.
A subtle change - but it means that Trashorras is able to make his impact felt further up the field.
In a frantic game like the one against Lugo, this wasn't just crucial - it was necessary.
By being a defensive right-back, a complete opposite to his predecessor Tito, Ernesto becomes the third center-back while Rayo have possession, thus freeing up Trashorras who would usually drop deeper as the third center-back to move further upfield.
A subtle change - but it means that Trashorras is able to make his impact felt further up the field.
In a frantic game like the one against Lugo, this wasn't just crucial - it was necessary.
35 seconds in and Patrick Ebert misses a one on one header with the goalkeeper. So much energy in this Rayo side too!!!! #RayoLugo— Sarthak Kumar (@Vallecanos1924) April 22, 2017
This new 4-3-3/3-4-3 suits another unsung hero - Álex Moreno. The left winger turned left back covers the wing perfectly, which suits Patrick Ebert who likes to cut inside with his right foot. The balance is maintained since Embarba likes to hug the touchline. Moreover, he can be quite unpredictable since he is equally adept at cutting in and taking a shot or at continuing his run and delivering a cross.
Rayo were playing well but didn't have a goal to show for it, and Patrick Ebert had missed three sitters - it must be noted that he was playing with a knock for the majority of the game.
In the 58th minute Lass Bangoura came on for Ebert - Embarba took up the role of dictating play in the final third, and Lass Bangoura took up the right wing spot.
Lass is frustratingly inconsistent - one day he's a hero and another day he's invisible. He's been in and out of the squad for three seasons now. And I get why coaches don't like him - he can be quite selfish and hold on to the ball for long, slowing down play. Which means that he is next to useless during fast attacking transitions.
Maybe something changed today.
His dribble created the penalty that Javi Guerra scored. His burst of pace down the right side and subsequent cross was converted by Manucho. He terrorized the Lugo defense and gave the coach a real selection headache for the subsequent games - while Rayo were playing well with Embarba creating chance after chance and Javi Guerra up top, Lass' burst of pace and Manucho's hard work were equally in demand.
If a month of benching him (his last game was on the 25th of March against Numancia) produces these kind of performances.....
Of course, the other way to look at the game was that Lugo were incredibly poor - and that would be true too. Shockingly lax passing, few chances created, and generally poor away form were all on display - and it explains why 20-goal-striker Joselu couldn't get past Pablo Íñiguez once.
But credit to Rayo for taking those chances and scoring twice. Well, thrice - Santi's goal was inexplicably ruled out offside towards the end of the game even though he was at least two feet onside.
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