Racing Santander vs Rayo Vallecano preview - Bernardo targets win - 7M sport

Racing Santander vs Rayo Vallecano preview - Bernardo targets win



I have a say

Posted Saturday, October 01, 2011 by PA

Racing Santander defender Bernardo has urged his side to step up their steady start to the Primera Division campaign with victory over Rayo Vallecano.

Hector Cuper's side have made a solid if unspectacular start to the campaign, with three 0-0 draws and two defeats from five games.

The Argentinian coach was well known during his time at Valencia for building teams that were defensively well organised, and he has done the same at Racing.

Bernardo now believes, though, that Racing must take the next step and get their first win of the season this weekend.

"Victories are necessary just as much for the mentality of the team as the position in the table," said the on-loan Sevilla man.

"We need to beat Rayo. We have improved over the past couple of matches but we have to back that up with a win."

Bernardo spent four years with Sevilla, playing mostly for the B team before joining Racing on loan in August, and he is relishing his new challenge.

"It's true that it is quite a jump to make," the 22-year-old said. "The standard is much higher, but I had trained for quite a while with the Sevilla first team and I am now doing so with Racing. I still have a lot to learn and I hope to do so quickly."

Racing suffered a setback this week with the news that striker Lautaro Acosta will be out for two to three months with a meniscus injury and midfielder Gonzalo Costa is also still sidelined.

Rayo, in contrast, have made a positive start to the season despite last weekend's 6-2 defeat at the hands of Real Madrid and on-loan Liverpool midfielder Dani Pacheco is hoping for a return to winning ways at Racing.

"We have to leave the image we have portrayed so far behind and start to correct our errors," he said. "After two consecutive defeats it is important to get a win in Santander.

"All the matches are for three points and we will always go for them, like we did against Real Madrid, and we will play the same way against Racing."

Rayo's only injury absentee is Raul Bravo, who returned to light training this week but will not be fit in time to make his debut for the club at El Sardinero.



Attention: Third parties may advertise their products and/or services on our website.7M does not warrant the accuracy, adequacy or completeness of their contents.
Your dealings with such third parties are solely between you and such third parties and we shall not be liable in any way for any loss or damage of any sort incurred by you.