Deportivo La Coruna vs Rayo Vallecano preview - Jemez sets fresh challenge

Posted Saturday, August 30, 2014 by PA

Rayo Vallecano coach Paco Jemez is refusing to rest on his laurels following his side's impressive draw with Atletico Madrid last week and has urged his players to rise to the challenge of winning at Deportivo La Coruna.

Rayo took the plaudits for unexpectedly holding the Primera Division champions to a goalless draw in Vallecas last week and even had chances to win the game, but Jemez insists the performance was nothing special.

He told a press conference: "No-one should live off the past. All we did against Atletico was produce a good second-half performance and an acceptable showing in the first. That won't be enough for us to get anything out of our next games.

"We showed some very good signs and our biggest concern is making sure the players know the past is worth nothing, because Deportivo don't let you compete if you play at a slower pace than them."

Rayo have never won at Depor's Riazor stadium in the top flight but that particular statistic will not deter Jemez.

He added: "This team likes a challenge, and winning there would give us a fantastic start to the league and take us to the international break knowing we have points on the board, because we all know from experience that anything can happen in this league."

Winger Leo Baptistao could make his first appearance for Rayo since re-joining the club on loan from Atletico Madrid, although Jemez warned that the Brazilian is not yet ready to play 90 minutes.

Jemez has also called Lass Bangoura into the squad but left Adrian Embarba and Jonathan Pereira out, along with injured defender Antonio Amaya and Alex Moreno, who is ill.

A former Depor player, Jemez always enjoys returning to his former stomping ground.

"We will have to fight, struggle and play well if we are to win but it's always great for me to go to Coruna and be near to what for many years was my team, my friends and my supporters," he said.

Depor coach Victor Fernandez is also looking forward to the game, which is his first home match in charge of the Galicians.

"I'm looking forward to experiencing that great atmosphere that I always used to fear, it was hell for the opposition, in the good sense of the word," he told reporters.

"Being strong at home is vital for us if we want to stay up. That's what I want and so do the players. Depor will be playing with a 12th man this season and that way no-one will be able to beat us."

Fernandez will be without wingers Lucas Perez and Diogo Salamao but said he was hopeful Pablo Insua would be fit in time for the match even though the defender has not been able to train since the 2-1 defeat at Granada last week because of an ankle injury.