Rayo Vallecano's head coach, Íñigo Pérez, shared his insights during the post-match press conference following his team’s narrow 1-0 defeat to FC Barcelona, held at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. The match was highlighted by controversial referee decisions, including a contentious disallowed goal for Rayo and a penalty awarded to Barcelona.
Pérez began by emphasizing his commitment to remaining neutral on refereeing decisions, stating, "I will always try to stay out of any refereeing decision as head coach. Regardless of whether sometimes we are favored or penalized, I empathize with them. I have my own opinion on every match, but I will not cross this line." This stance showcases his professionalism and respect for the officiation, even amid frustration with key calls during the match.
Reflecting on the defeat, Pérez candidly noted, "One only feels bitterness from the loss, regardless of whether we played well or poorly. It’s likely I’ll find things to be satisfied and proud of from the players’ performance with time. Right now, I am pained. We cannot be happy when we lose. That's fundamental for any football player or coach—losing must be felt before moving on to analyze what went right or wrong." This sentiment highlights the emotional weight of competitive sports and the challenges coaches face after disappointing results.
Pérez also praised the contributions of Andrei Ratiu, who was tasked with defending against Barcelona's Raphinha, known for his demanding style of play. "Andrei is having a very complete season, both offensively and defensively. He faced one of the toughest challenges with Raphinha today. He started the match somewhat fearfully, as did the entire team, which resulted in some missed opportunities. But as the game progressed, both he and the team found their footing and executed well. We witnessed his true potential, both on the offensive and defensive sides."
The Rayo coach's acknowledgment of Ratiu's performance reflects his ability to learn from each game and the importance of individual player growth within the team dynamic.
Regarding the match strategy against Barcelona, Pérez asserted, "We always strive to be aggressive defensively against teams like Barcelona, who have mechanized offensive systems. Our goal is to create chaos during their plays to make them uncomfortable and create turnovers to counterattack. I believe we achieved this at various stages during the game. For success on this field against such opponents, we need to maintain our personality, remain composed with the ball, and make intentional passes without losing ourselves to panic." His analysis reflects not only strategic awareness but also tactical adaptability important for success against top-tier teams.
Pérez also commented on Barcelona's standout player, Pedri, acknowledging the importance of limiting his involvement during the match. "One of the things we focused on this week was to reduce his game participation. It seems obvious, but it’s important to track his passing patterns and off-the-ball movements, which can be quite dangerous. I’m a coach who appreciates great footballers. Pedri is outstanding, displaying not just offensive flair, but also defensive work ethic during matches. He’s fully connected, and this quality infects the rest of the team. It's a pleasure to watch him play, barring matches like today where we faced him."
Despite the disappointment from the loss, the Rayo Vallecano team is currently positioned within the European qualification spots, indicating promising potential as the season progresses. Looking forward, Pérez's commitment to reflecting on this match's learning experience will play a pivotal role as they prepare for future challenges.
This match serves as both a learning opportunity and a reminder of the competitiveness of LaLiga, where even the smallest margins can determine outcomes. Rayo Vallecano will seek to leverage this experience, correcting mistakes and building on their strengths to maintain their position going forward.