AFC Bournemouth’s first pre-season game back on home soil ended in a 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano as Andoni Iraola bested his former second-in-command at the Vitality Stadium.
With fans excited to see how the Cherries had developed over the summer in their first home pre-season friendly, Iraola's side delivered some glimpses of promise in a generally hard-fought match.
After the full-time whistle, the Spanish boss spoke to the media to share his thoughts on the game.
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How it happened
It was a lethargic first 20 minutes as both sets of players were still trying to find their feet in the game.
The game burst into life just after the half-hour mark as Daniel Jebbison did the dirty work, reading the bounce of a long ball well, before scrapping his way past two defenders to get a definitive touch to redirect into the path of Luis Sinisterra.
The Colombian was all alone as he rushed through on goal, using his quick feet to round the keeper before slotting home comfortably in front of the Ted MacDougall Stand.
Following the opener, the Cherries did not let up, continuing to pile on the pressure.
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The boss' thoughts
According to Bournemouth boss Iraola, the opening 60 minutes 'had the rhythm.'
The Basque-born manager said: “After the second half with all the subs, it’s different to keep the same rhythm but I finished quite happy”.
“[There were] probably not too many chances but it was a really competitive game”
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Facing off against familiar faces
Iraola took to the Vitality Stadium dugout for the first time since May and stood across from him this time around was Iñigo Pérez.
Pérez was Iraola’s assistant manager in his highly successful spell with Rayo Vallecano.
A fellow former Los Franjirrojos player, the Bournemouth boss admitted it felt 'very strange' to face his former number two.
Iraola said: “[It was] nice in a way to see people that I’ve been working with a lot of time and very happy to see them playing here and very strange to play against players that I appreciate so much.
"I know them so well, but it’s very nice after to talk to them [see] how they are doing and [it is] a good experience for them.”
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Sinisterra back and raring to go
The Basque-born manager has plenty to say about Luis Sinisterra, who made his first appearance after competing at Copa America with Colombia earlier this summer.
Iraola said: “We wanted to see him because he has been only training with us [for] one week after he didn’t go to LA, and he has been just training three, four days.
“I think he needs minutes. We wanted to see him [for] at least 45 [minutes] and keep growing without taking too many risks, but give him the first competitive minutes and I think he has answered well.
"He has finished quite fresh the first 45 [minutes] and I think this is good, we can build and continue building on with this."
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Champions League side Girona up next
Bournemouth's next test will come in the form of Champions League qualifiers Girona, who will visit the Vitality Stadium next Saturday.
Iraola said: “[It will be] a great game for pre-season because I know them very well, they finished third in La Liga, [which] is very expansive.
"They will play in the Champions League, they are a possession-based team. They will make us run a lot, but it’s going to be a good workout.
"Similar to what we had last season against Atalanta, kind of a similar type of team, of level, and it will give us I think a very good game.”
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Speaking on Solanke's future
There have been plenty of rumours surrounding Dominic Solanke’s potential departure from the club, with Tottenham supposedly circling.
These rumours were fuelled further by the England international’s absence from the matchday squad against Vallecano.
Immediately, this sparked confusion amongst Bournemouth fans.
These worries were put to bed, though, as reports emerged that Solanke had suffered a minor toe injury in midweek training.
Iraola had his say on the matter, revealing it was Ukrainian centre-back Illia Zabarnyi who 'stomped on his foot yesterday.'
Iraola said: “I hope for sure he’s going to play in the next game against Girona.”
“We are not going to risk him in a pre-season friendly.”
“[The injury is] nothing big, just that he couldn’t put the boots on.”
Iraola added: “Even with other players, I hope they can play against Girona and we can see them really close.
"There are some with small issues; Justin Kluivert, Lewis Cook [is] also [a] kind of similar situation. With so many games, it doesn’t make sense to take risks.”
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Fake injury?
Given the recent speculation, some critics pointed out that the injury might be covering up any goings-on behind the scenes related to a potential departure.
Iraola was quick to put those rumours to bed. He said: “It’s not in my control, I tell you what has happened, I’ve seen it happen, it’s the reality.”
“The truth is Dom came today and we decided it didn’t make any sense to risk him in a friendly, it’s not a big injury, I am not worried because he will be fine in, I think, four days."
