When it comes to Spanish football, few rivalries are as quietly intense as Rayo Vallecano vs CD Leganés. Both clubs are based in Madrid, both have passionate fan bases, and both often battle it out in LaLiga or the Segunda División. What makes this matchup particularly fascinating isn’t just the goals or the drama—it’s the lineups and tactical choices that shape the game.
Fans want to know: Who’s starting? What’s the formation? Which substitutions will flip the script? In this article, we’ll dive deep into the most recent clash, break down historical trends, and reveal what these choices say about each team’s identity.
Recent Match Recap: January 31, 2025 – Rayo Vallecano vs CD Leganés
Before we analyze the lineups, let’s revisit their most recent showdown in the 2024–25 LaLiga season.
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Date: January 31, 2025
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Venue: Estadio Municipal de Butarque, Leganés, Spain
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Competition: LaLiga, Round 22
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Final Score: Rayo Vallecano 1 – 0 CD Leganés
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Winning Goal: Pathé Ciss (78’)
It was a cagey affair, with both sides sticking to their tactical blueprints. Ultimately, Rayo edged it thanks to one decisive moment of quality from the midfield.
Rayo Vallecano Starting Lineup (4-2-3-1 Formation)
Coach Francisco went with his trusted 4-2-3-1, balancing defensive security with attacking creativity.
Starting XI:
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GK: Augusto Batalla
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RB: Andrei Ratiu
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CB: Florian Lejeune
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CB: Abdul Mumin
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LB: Pep Chavarría
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CM: Pathé Ciss
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CM: Unai López
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RW: Jorge de Frutos
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CAM: Isi Palazón
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LW: Álvaro García
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ST: Randy Nteka
Used Substitutes:
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Unai López (76’)
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Álvaro García (73’)
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Jorge de Frutos (79’)
Tactical Insight
Francisco’s setup gave Rayo a solid midfield spine. The Ciss–López double pivot controlled the game, while Isi Palazón was the creative heartbeat, linking wide players with the lone striker. Substitutions injected pace late on, particularly Álvaro García, who stretched Leganés’ backline.
CD Leganés Starting Lineup (5-4-1 Formation)
Coach Borja Jiménez opted for a defensive 5-4-1, clearly prioritizing shape and counterattacks.
Starting XI:
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GK: Marko Dmitrović
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RB: Adrià Altimira
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CB: Sergio González (c)
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CB: Matija Nastasić
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CB: Jorge Sáenz
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LB: Iker Bachiller
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CM: Yvan Neyou
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CM: Seydouba Cissé
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CM: Dani Raba
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CM: Óscar Rodríguez
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ST: Munir El Haddadi
Used Substitutes:
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Darko Brašanac (62’)
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Javi Hernández
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Roberto López
Tactical Insight
Leganés sat deep, compact, and organized. The midfield mix of creativity (Óscar Rodríguez) and grit (Neyou, Cissé) was designed to break up Rayo’s rhythm. But the lack of attacking width left Munir El Haddadi isolated, forcing Leganés to rely on half-chances rather than sustained pressure.
Lineup Comparison: Rayo Vallecano vs CD Leganés
| Attribute | Rayo Vallecano | CD Leganés |
|---|---|---|
| Formation | 4-2-3-1 | 5-4-1 |
| Style | Possession + Width | Low Block + Counters |
| Key Midfielders | Pathé Ciss, Unai López | Neyou, Óscar Rodríguez |
| Goalkeeper | Augusto Batalla | Marko Dmitrović |
| Attacking Threats | Isi Palazón, Álvaro García | Munir El Haddadi |
| Sub Strategy | Add pace, stretch game | Reinforce defense |
Key Players & Their Impact
Pathé Ciss (Rayo Vallecano)
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Role: Defensive Midfielder
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Impact: Scored the winning goal, broke up play, and pushed forward at the right moments.
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Why it Mattered: His positioning was flawless, making him the match’s standout performer.
Isi Palazón (Rayo Vallecano)
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Role: Attacking Midfielder
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Impact: The creative hub, constantly linking midfield with attack.
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Why it Mattered: His vision unlocked spaces against Leganés’ rigid defense.
Marko Dmitrović (CD Leganés)
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Role: Goalkeeper
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Impact: Kept his side in the game with crucial saves.
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Why it Mattered: Without him, the scoreline could have been worse.
Substitution Strategy & Bench Depth
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Rayo Vallecano: Substitutions around the 70th minute injected speed and energy. García’s runs on the left gave Rayo the final push they needed.
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CD Leganés: Jiménez’s changes were defensive and reactive. While they shored up the midfield, they didn’t solve the problem of attacking isolation.
Managerial Approaches
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Francisco (Rayo): Focused on controlling midfield and creating width. His subs were proactive, designed to increase attacking momentum.
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Borja Jiménez (Leganés): Went conservative, hoping to hit on the counter. His cautious substitutions lacked ambition, costing Leganés when they fell behind.
Atmosphere at Estadio Butarque
With 11,432 fans in attendance, the stadium was buzzing with energy. The home crowd believed in Leganés’ resilience, but Rayo’s organized display silenced the noise after Ciss’s late strike. For many Madrid football fans, this rivalry remains one of the city’s most underrated derbies.
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Historical Head-to-Head Lineup Trends
Looking back at their past five meetings, some patterns stand out:
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Rayo Vallecano usually favors attacking formations like 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3.
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CD Leganés typically sticks with defense-first lineups (5-3-2 or 5-4-1).
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Certain players—like Isi Palazón (Rayo) and Munir El Haddadi (Leganés)—are consistent figures in these clashes.
Why Lineups Define the Match
At first glance, lineups look like just a list of names. But they’re so much more than that. They’re snapshots of a manager’s strategy, reflections of each team’s strengths and weaknesses, and hints of how the 90 minutes will play out.
In this case:
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Rayo’s bold midfield setup paid off.
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Leganés’ defensive gamble kept them in the game but limited their attack.
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The substitutions—when and why they were made—told the story of ambition versus caution.
Final Thoughts
The Rayo Vallecano vs CD Leganés rivalry may not get the same hype as Real Madrid vs Atlético, but it has its own flavor—gritty football, clever tactics, and passionate fans. Lineups are at the heart of it all.
So next time these two sides meet, don’t just look at the scoreline. Pay attention to the lineups, the formations, and the substitutions—they’re the keys to understanding how the drama unfolds.
