Rayo Vallecano vs Girona preview: season kickoff and a look back at their head-to-head
Rayo Vallecano will face Girona this afternoon in the opening match of La Liga, kicking off a season many in Madrid’s capital believe could see the Franjirrojos push for European qualification again. The two clubs have met 30 times across competitions, with Rayo recording 11 wins, Girona 12, and 7 draws.
Precedents of the match
Last season, the meeting at Montilivi finished goalless, with Girona dominating possession and chances but failing to break the deadlock. In the return leg, Rayo edged Girona 2-1 after Randy Nteka struck twice to overturn an early Bryan Gil goal. That result marked Rayo’s first league victory over Girona in Primera.
Across all competitions, Rayo and Girona have faced each other 30 times, including Primera, Segunda, Copa del Rey, and promotion play-offs. In Segunda, the head-to-head is balanced in favor of Rayo with 8 wins, 4 draws and 6 defeats. In Copa del Rey, they have split two meetings, each side winning once, Girona’s victory most recently on January 17, 2024 (3-1).
In La Liga, the head-to-head is more Girona-friendly: in eight top-flight meetings, Girona has the edge with four wins to Rayo’s one, while three games ended in draws. Rayo Valencia’s Franjirrojos have never beaten Girona away in La Liga, with two draws and two defeats on the road.
The memory of promotion
Rayo Vallecano returns to the venue of their last promotion to La Liga. In the 2020/2021 playoff final, the Franjirrojos fell 1-2 at Vallecas but headed to Girona needing to overturn the tie, which they did thanks to goals from Óscar Trejo and Álvaro García in the first half. That victory sent Rayo back to the top division after two seasons in the second tier.
A season many have waited for
August 15, 2025 marks the start of a new season, one that fans have waited for since May 24 when the club’s European dream became a reality 25 years after last achieving it. Six days before the Conference League opener, Rayo will renew acquaintances with a familiar figure, Michel, at a stadium steeped in memories for the club’s fans.
Squad and transfer news
Rayo debuts in La Liga on the same day that Fran Pérez’s signing was made official. The former Valencia winger wears the number 21, a number previously worn by Embarba last season and by Etienne Eto’o in the first two pre-season matches against Genk and Zwolle. Fran Pérez has been registered in La Liga today, so he could travel to Girona. Jozhua Vertrouwd could also be available after being registered as a Rayo C canterano. Finally, new signing Luiz Felipe is also set to travel to Girona and could make his competitive bow for the club.
What to watch for
– Nteka’s form: the forward’s playoff-time brace last season showed he can rise to the occasion; expect him to be a focal point again.
– Fran Pérez’s integration: if he features, his pace and creativity could add a new dimension to Rayo’s attack.
– Luiz Felipe’s debut: a new central defender can change how Rayo builds from the back, especially against Girona’s pace and movement.
– The early-season pressure: after a landmark season that yielded European football, the aim will be to start strongly and translate ambition into results.
Additional value and context
– This game could set the tone for Rayo’s style under the new campaign, potentially balancing defensive solidity with the attacking intent that defined their late-season momentum.
– Girona will be keen to prove last season’s La Liga form is not a one-off and may look to exploit any gaps left by Rayo’s new signings as they settle in.
Summary
Rayo Vallecano opens the 2025/26 La Liga campaign against Girona, a match loaded with history and memories of the 2020/21 promotion playoff. With Fran Pérez joining the man files and Luiz Felipe expected to make his bow, this game could offer a glimpse of Rayo’s strategy for a European push and Girona’s intent to reaffirm their La Liga credentials early in the season.
Fijian Summary
Na Rayo Vallecano kei Girona era na sota ena La Liga ena siga oqo. E tiko vei ratou na veitarogi e 30, ka 11 na veitaba na Rayo, 12 na veitaba na Girona, kei na 7 na dravudrau. Na a vakacegui na i sigu sa oti mai Montilivi e lailai na gole (0-0), ka na veitabaga 2-1 vei Rayo ena nona lako mai ki Girona kei Randy Nteka e dua na gole vakaitikotiko e rua. Ena Primera, na Rayo e sega ni rawata na nona qaqa i tiko ki Girona ena vakacegu; e 1 na koya, 3 na dravudrau, kei na 4 na gole ni Girona era vakasamataki. E tei Vanuacala na kena vakavinavinakataki na veika ni 2020/2021 ni Rayo e vaqaqacotaka kina na kena vakacegu. Me 15 Ogo 2025, na siga ni tekivu ni yabaki, e rai ira eliu na mikomaka me baleta na nodra innubere ni veika vakaitikori e na Conference League. E tiko tale ga na veika vou: Fran Pérez sa yacova kina na nomu iVakarau e na 21, ka na rawa ni pada vei Girona; Jozhua Vertrouwd kei Luiz Felipe era na mai curu talega ki na lailai ni veiqaravi.
Note: This is a condensed translation-inspired summary for the Fijian audience.