Rayo Vallecano vs Deportivo La Coruna preview - Sad time for Rayo - Presa

Posted Friday, January 30, 2015 by PA

Rayo Vallecano head into Friday's home game against Deportivo La Coruna with heavy hearts following the death of their former goalkeeper Wilfred Agbonavbare.

Wilfred, who played at Rayo from 1990 until 1996 and was a member of the Nigeria side that won the 1994 African Nations Cup, lost his battle against cancer and passed away in Madrid this week.

"We have lost a person who was part of the history of Rayo," club president Raul Martin Presa told the Spanish press. "He was an example of life.

"He went broke in order to try to save his wife from cancer but, unfortunately, it was in vain.

"At 48, his life has been cut short by such a nasty illness as cancer is and it's a very sad time for us."

A minute's silence will be observed prior to the encounter in Vallecas.

Last weekend's 3-1 defeat at Atletico Madrid dropped Rayo to 10th in the standings.

Paco Gemez's side have collected 16 of their current 23 points on the road but have won just twice at home this season, their last victory in Vallecas a 1-0 triumph over Celta Vigo on November 23.

Fortunately for Rayo, Deportivo have not fared well away from La Coruna.

Depor, who are in 16th place, five points adrift of Rayo and just two points clear of the drop zone, have won just once on the road.

"We need to start winning on the road and there is no better day than Friday," Depor midfielder Juan Dominguez told the Spanish press. "Rayo are a dangerous team and we expect a difficult game.

"But we are determined to play better than we did against Granada and bring home a win."

The Galician outfit were denied all three points last weekend after conceding a late equaliser to settle for a 2-2 draw against Granada.

Depor coach Victor Fernandez will be without Argentinian midfielder Luis Farina, who serves his first of a two-match ban this weekend.