Andoni Iraola Tactics At Rayo Vallecano 2021/2022: How Andoni Iraola’s Side Thrived In La Liga – Tactical Analysis

Rayo Vallecano finished their first season back in La Liga in a very respectable 12th position.

Their exciting debut campaign back in the top division raised eyebrows with notable performances against the countrys big two.

Los Franjirrojos ran Real Madrid close at home and away and completed the double over Barcelona, under Ronald Koeman and later Xavi Hernandez, which will be covered in this analysis.

Manager Andoni Iraola has Madrid’s third club playing exciting, fast-paced football.

The former Athletic Club right-back’s playing career included spells working under Marcelo Bielsa at Bilbao and Patrick Viera at New York City FC.

Their possession-based, yet intense, brand of football has clearly influenced Iraola’s work at Rayo.

This analysis will be presented in the form of a scout report.

The focus will be on Rayo Vallecanos high-press on opposition goal kicks and how they create goal-scoring opportunities through switches of play.

In this tactical analysis, we analyse the key tactics behind Rayo Vallecano’s success in the 2021-22 campaign.

Andoni Iraola Statistical analysis

As the above tactical diagram shows, Iraola’s preferred formation was a 4-2-3-1, which they used from the start of the season.

His side dominated the ball in most of their matches.

Their av