It’s fitting it was Alvaro Garcia and Fran Garcia who scored the goals which secured Rayo Vallecano their famous 2-1 win over La Liga leaders Barcelona on a glorious Wednesday night in Vallecas.
Both Garcia’s, after all, epitomise exactly what makes Andoni Iraola’s overachieving Rayo side so special. Alvaro, a 30-year-old journeyman who had spent so much of his career bouncing around the lower leagues, is playing the best football of his career under Iraola; reaching heights hitherto unimaginable to those who watched the late-blooming wideman in Spain’s third tier.
Namesake Fran, meanwhile, has blossomed into one of La Liga’s brightest young talents. He recently scored against Real Madrid – his former and future employers – and found the net again when Barcelona came to town; driving forward from left-back before finishing in style.
Iraola’s considerable talent in the fields of in-game tactics, player development and man-management were all in full view as Rayo became the first La Liga side to score twice against Xavi’s Barca since Real Madrid six months ago.
Andoni Iraola masterminds Barcelona win
“What he’s done with a really, really small club in Spain with absolutely no money…” La Liga expert Phil Kitromilides tells talkSPORT.
Iraola’s Rayo side are still in contention for a European spot. The 40-year-old also led the Los Franjirrojos to the Copa del Rey semi-finals in 2022, having done the same during a remarkable stint at Mirandes.
“He’s improved this Rayo team, which is a limited team in terms of big names and quality,” Kitromilides adds. “He improves players individually, and got them playing an incredible brand of football. So he’s a really, really strong candidate.”
A candidate for what, you ask? Well, a Premier League job.
According to Cadena Ser, West Ham United have identified the 40-year-old former Spain international as a potential replacement for David Moyes. Iraola – who honed his talents under one Marcelo Bielsa at Elland Road – could also follow in the footsteps of his old mentor. The Athletic report that Iraola – who has a £7 million release clause in his contract – is one of Leeds’ leading targets to replace Jesse Marsch full-time.
Leeds and West Ham keen
There were shades of Bielsa’s famously free-wheeling Leeds, too, in the way Rayo outclassed, out-ran and out-scored Barcelona on home soil. This was no smash and grab. Yes, Rayo defended in numbers. But they also pressed high, attacked quickly, and managed more shots on target than their head-spun visitors.
“We made it an uncomfortable game for them. In transition, we are dangerous. The two goals come from steals and quick breaks,” Iraola explains.
“Now, we make sure we’re here again (in the league) next year with those 43 points. The team is fine. Now, we can’t give up looking up (the table).”
Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo accepts Rayo ’deserved’ the win. While Robert Lewandowski – who scored the late consolation – was also gracious in defeat.
“It’s always difficult to play here,” sighs the Bayern Munich legend. “We tried to fight but they pressed more than us.”
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