The match of Atlético Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano is an odd event in the season of LaLiga, determined by the flow of the game and the exhaustion, as well as by the peculiarity of the change of the location. Atletico Madrid play another Madrid derby only three days after a heartfelt and overwhelming semifinal in the Copa del Rey which saw the team defeat FC Barcelona.
In the case of Atlético, the picture is already evident in the league. The title race is out of reach. There is a 13 point gap at the top that has changed the priorities. The team of Diego Simeone is now concerned with stability and team management. Flair will not be as important as rotation and game control when we have a hectic programme to play before the March international break.
Simeone, as he is a pragmatic person, will realize that third place is the achievable goal. This makes such matches important. Atlético has been characterized by dropped points with lower-half sides. The actual challenge is to avoid another slip.
The visitors however, have the advantage of history. An Atletico has been the king of this derby in the recent years. Since the year 2013, they have won five out of the six encounters and 14 out of the 17 league encounters. There will be no problem of confidence.
Rayo Vallecano come to the match with some pressure. The results have been difficult to get, sitting close to the relegation zone. Social matters have contributed to the frustrations. Vallecas has been declared unfit because of an unsuccessful pitch check. Consequently, Rayo will host Atliko in its Estadio Butarque, the stadium of Leganes.
The belief eliminates a portion of the home edge Rayo has. Nevertheless, derby matches are hardly logical. Atlético will require concentration, and sharpness, more particularly following the emotional outburst of the midweek.
Providing that Simeone men control the pace, it is another step to winning the first three places.
