Carlos Martín ready to rewrite history as Rayo target rare Bernabéu win
On loan from Atlético, Carlos Martín discusses his quick adaptation at Rayo Vallecano as they prepare to break their 29-year winless streak at the Bernabéu.
Rayo Vallecano’s newest striker is settling in nicely at Vallecas and has his sights set on making history against Real Madrid this weekend.
Breaking the Bernabéu curse
Rayo Vallecano haven’t tasted victory at the Santiago Bernabéu since the 1995-96 season – that’s nearly three decades of disappointment for the Franjirrojos faithful. Carlos Martín, who recently joined on loan from Atlético Madrid, believes Sunday’s clash presents the perfect opportunity to end this barren run.
“It’s a good day to change history,” the young forward suggests, clearly not lacking in confidence despite the daunting task ahead.
Seamless integration at Vallecas
Despite only being at the club for a matter of days, Martín has wasted no time in adapting to life under manager Íñigo Pérez:
- The squad has welcomed him with open arms, making his integration “very easy”
- His versatility allows him to play across the front line, either as a winger or striker
- He’s already embracing Rayo’s unique club culture
“It’s completely true that Rayo is like a family,” Martín explains. “Everyone has helped me from day one and the atmosphere is very healthy.”
Taking advantage of Madrid’s wobble
The timing of the derby might work in Rayo’s favour, with Los Blancos showing some vulnerability in recent matches. Martín acknowledges the quality in Carlo Ancelotti’s squad but sees an opportunity:
“We’re going to try to take advantage of this moment and scrape as many points as possible,” he says, recognizing that catching Madrid during a slight dip could be crucial.
The card game that sealed his move
In one of the more unusual transfer stories you’ll hear this January, Martín revealed that a game of ‘mus’ (a popular Spanish card game) played a part in his move to Vallecas. When struggling to decide between loan options, he and his representatives – including his father – used the card game to help break the deadlock.
What started as a joke became the tie-breaker that guided him toward Rayo – a bit of a gamble that seems to be paying off for both player and club.
With Rayo currently needing points to climb away from danger, they’ll be hoping their new number 14 can help deliver a result that would be the dog’s dinner for Madrid’s title hopes.
Team unity in challenging times
Martín emphasizes the importance of sticking together during difficult periods: “All teams go through streaks, and now is the time to stay united, with one idea. With this group, I’m sure we’ll move forward.”
When asked about the differences between Simeone at Atlético and Íñigo at Rayo, Martín diplomatically noted that “not everyone experiences it the same way” – suggesting distinct coaching styles that players respond to differently.