Rayo Vallecano bring in Emil Audero to cover Batalla

Broken tibia sidelines Batalla

Rayo Vallecano have moved to replace Augusto Batalla, who suffered a broken tibia in the opening league match against Alavés. As Mundo Deportivo reports, the incident looked harmless in real time, but a few days later the Argentine was forced to go under the knife, meaning he will miss a large chunk of the current campaign.

Until now, Dani Cárdenas had been stepping in. But Mundo Deportivo explains that there had effectively not been many other options.

Emil Audero arrives on loan

The man Rayo have brought in is Emil Audero, a 29-year-old goalkeeper with an Italian passport. The club has confirmed his arrival on loan from Como 1907 (Cesc Fábregas’ side) until the end of the season.

The immediate question is who will start in goal next: Cárdenas keeping the No. 1 spot, or Audero taking over for the coming matches. Mundo Deportivo notes that at Rayo “you never know” how the decision will land.

Where Rayo will play at home

There’s also an uncertainty over home venue. Per Mundo Deportivo, the next home game should still be at Butarque, since the stadium is not yet ready to meet minimum safety requirements.