Rayo Vallecano vs Almeria preview - Bueno demands immediate response

Posted Saturday, April 18, 2015 by PA

Rayo Vallecano striker Alberto Bueno has called on his side to put the embarrassing 6-1 thrashing they suffered at the hands of Celta Vigo behind them when they host a rejuvenated Almeria side on Sunday.

The Andalusians head to Vallecas after beating fellow strugglers Granada 3-0 to move out of the relegation zone, but Bueno is determined to make sure their revival under new coach Sergi Barjuan is cut short, especially after suffering their most humiliating defeat of the season.

Rayo were helpless to resist as Celta plundered a 6-1 home win last Saturday.

"The match with Celta is one we need to forget about and draw conclusions about what we cannot do in a match," Bueno was quoted as saying in Marca.

"It's easier for us to erase from our memories because football always gives you another chance the following week.

"Now we face Almeria, who come here after winning 3-0 and who are a good team, and a lot is at stake for them in the bottom of the league.

"But we want to get back on the road to victory and get back to enjoying our football, because we are a team that doesn't go on a downward spiral after a setback."

Rayo are still without first-choice goalkeeper Cristian Alvarez, plus forwards Leo Baptistao and Raul Baena through injury.

Injuries will also deprive Almeria of centre-back Fran Velez, full-back Michel Macedo and midfielder Verza, while veteran Fernando Soriano is suspended.

Almeria are level on points with the relegation zone but sit in 17th after beating Granada, and forward Thievy Bifouma puts his side's turnaround on the pitch down to a greater collective team spirit.

"We've lost that fear, the fear of playing, and now we are not just seeing that in training, but also in matches," he told a press conference.

"It's not as if we were fighting in the dressing room before, I'm talking about union on the pitch, when we had to press or attack, soak up the pressure and defend.

"Now we support each other and when I have the ball or press, I feel backed up by my team-mates, before our pressing was useless."