Rayo Vallecano arrives in the city of Huelva to play the first phase of the Copa del Rey against Recreativo de Huelva, hoping to escape the crisis that has shaken the club after the 0-3 win against Elche and the internal conflict between the fans and the board. The match, scheduled for 9:00 p.m. at the Nuevo Colombino, is presented as an opportunity for Beñat San José's team to seek a break in the national competition and regain the confidence of its players.
Recreativo, for its part, arrives with a streak of eleven games without losing, which includes seven games in the Second RFEF and four in the Federation Cup. The Huelva club was crowned leader of the fourth group of the Second RFEF after beating Atlético Antoniano 5‑0 and has 17 points after five wins and two draws. In the Federation Cup, the team has eliminated Motril, Cacereño, Conil and Navalcarnero, and is preparing for the final against Sestao River on November 14. Coach Jesús Galván has had to rotate his squad to avoid overloading his key players, although he faces the absence of his goalkeeper Jero Lario and Hugo López due to injury, and the suspension of Pellecín, in addition to the doubt of Leandro and Alberto Vela.
As for the probable lineups, Recreativo will have Fernando Padilla in goal, a defense made up of Néstor Senra, Bonaque, José Carlos and Nacho Ruiz, and the midfield made up of Lulo Dasilva, Álex Bernal, Samu Cortés, Paolo and Aitor García, with Agus Alonso in attack. Rayo Vallecano, for its part, could line up Cárdenas in goal, with Balliu, Kumbulla, Pelayo and Jozhua in defense, and in midfield Bouaré, Valentín, Fran Pérez, Tsitaishvili and Rayane, while Alemao is positioned as a forward. The only sure casualty of Rayo is the Romanian right back Andrei Ratiu, who continues to have muscle discomfort, and Iván Balliu is expected to take his place.
The match is shaping up to be a turning point for Rayo, which seeks to use the Copa del Rey as a balm to forget its league problems and the recent suspension of its match against Athletic. Beñat San José has expressed that the defeat against Elche “hurt the pride” of the squad, and he hopes to reverse the situation in this duel. For its part, Recreativo, with the attendance of an enthusiastic crowd, seeks to extend its undefeated streak and advance to the next phase of the competition. The result of this match will determine whether Rayo will be able to escape the crisis and whether Recreativo will be able to continue its surprising streak.