Life After Andoni Iraola: How Rayo Vallecano Have Evolved Under Francisco Rodríguez Tactics In 2023/24 – Tactical Analysis

Four years ago, Rayo Vallecano finished bottom of La Liga, with the side only managing to accumulate 32 points in 38 games.

Two years later, the side would fight their way back into La Liga under Andoni Iraola, who would go on to guide the side to successive mid-table finishes. 

Vallecano would then become one of the trickier sides to play in the division, with a squad that contains athletic full-backs capable of bombing down the pitch to support attackers and recover well in the defensive phase of the game. 

With Iraola joining A.F.C Bournemouth in the Premier League this summer, many of the players who were vital to the clubs recent success remain.

However, with new head coach Francisco Rodríguez, the side have still managed to maintain their high intensity in both phases of the game.

Still, Francisco has made some adaptations to the side that have seen the already high intensity of the side increase even more.

At this point of the season, with Vallecano having played seven games, the side sits in 6th with 11 points, with the side only a handful of points off of Barcelona and Atlético Madrid.

Although they have only managed to score seven goals, they have underperformed slightly in this category, with xG suggesting that the side should have scored around 9. 

This scout report and tactical analysis will provide a breakdown of why Franciscos Vallecano are very difficult to defend against, how the intensity of the side has increased and how the sides tactics have changed from the previous season under Iraola. 

Differences in directness

This season, Vallecano have become slightly more direct than they were under Iraola tactics, which can be seen based on the slight change in the structure and positioning of players within the side.

Last season, the full-backs in the side would take up deeper positions, with two midfielders supporting the centre-backs and the rest of the backline.

In this particular instance, Fran García, the left-back, can be seen in a relatively normal position for a full-back, with Unai López and Pathé Cisse supporting from the midfield.

López, in this example, is in a position where he can support the centre-back, Alejandro Catena, and have a passing option in García if the midfielder were to receive the ball. 

After Catena plays the pass to the midfielder, he is able to find García with the left-back, then carries the ball into the space ahead of him.

Under Iraola, it is clear to see that players looked to position themselves in a manner that allowed them to provide each other with angles of support and in situations in which they had good angles as well as space, they would not hesitate to progress the ball through the thirds with combination play.