Rayo Vallecano vs Elche preview - International issues anger Jemez - 7M sport

Rayo Vallecano vs Elche preview - International issues anger Jemez



Posted Saturday, September 13, 2014 by PA

Rayo Vallecano coach Paco Jemez has hit out at certain national sides for holding on to his players for too long and depriving his team of key personnel.

Rayo host Elche on Sunday but are unlikely to have Lass Bangoura in the side as the winger has still not returned from international duty with Guinea, and Jemez used his pre-match press conference to criticise national teams' treatment of his players.

He said: "Lass has not turned up, and we have to try and make international federations sit up and notice. When a club lets a player go on international duty it gets nothing in return, only the chance the player returns injured or tired.

"It's something we have to deal with and I believe that (national teams) need to look after their players better."

Striker Manucho and winger Javier Aquino only returned to training on Friday due to international commitments with Angola and Mexico respectively but are expected to be available for the game with Elche - but Jemez indicated Lass would not be in his squad.

Rayo are still unbeaten this season, drawing with champions Atletico Madrid in their opening game and then conceding a last-gasp goal to draw 2-2 at Deportivo La Coruna.

The coach reiterated his satisfaction with how his side have begun the season, but admitted their positive performances need to translate into points.

"Football is more about statistics than sensations," he said. "Right now we're pleased about how we're playing and that's great but we need to be pleased about our play while winning.

"Against Elche we hope our ambition to improve and win will lead to us playing well and winning, because doing the former will lead us to doing the latter."

In addition to the absent Lass, centre-back Antonio Amaya has been ruled out of the match with a muscular injury.

Jemez's opposite number Fran Escriba has a full squad to choose from for the trip to Madrid but the coach still complained about deficiencies in his team.

"In some areas we have an under-strength squad," he said.

"I like to have competition and I'd have liked to have a few more defensive players, at right back and in midfield."

Elche began the season with a 3-0 defeat at Barcelona but a last-minute equaliser by David Lomban gave them a 1-1 draw at home to Granada and their first point of the new term.



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