Missed opportunity for Real to extend their lead in the championship. Ancelotti’s team drew 1-1 away against Rayo Vallecano in the match valid for the 25th matchday of the Liga and “threw away” two points for the escape. Yes, because after last week’s triumph against Girona 4-0 and the +5 over their rivals for the championship, today’s match represented the possibility of even going to a temporary +8, with Girona playing tomorrow on the difficult Bilbao pitch. Instead Vinicius and his teammates didn’t take home the victory, on the contrary they had an impact against a good Rayo, who absolutely deserved the draw exactly like in the first leg match.
Balanced and hard-fought first half. Real started well and took the lead with the first shot on target through Joselu, but the hosts did not let themselves be overwhelmed and found the equalizer thanks to the penalty scored by De Tomas for a penalty resulting from a handball by Camavinga seen by VAR. After the draw, chances on both sides: Valverde hits the post with a great volley from the edge, while on the other side Lunin deflects Alvaro’s diagonal shot into a corner. In the second half the pace slows down and the emotions fade. Lots of changes, but the match doesn’t move away from a draw. The only thrill is Kroos’ free kick, on which the opposing goalkeeper shows off with an excellent intervention. In the final double yellow for Carvajal who had just entered and Real with ten men, but Rayo didn’t attack. 1-1 the final.
Real Madrid-Rayo Vallecano
This small misstep against an absolutely within reach opponent is not the end of the world, but the problem is the calendar now quite difficult for the blancos, who will have to face Sevilla and Valencia in the next two days. True, this Real Madrid team has always excelled against the big teams and struggled against the small ones, but considering the absences and suspensions, it will be a decisive two weeks for Madrid to maintain the top spot in the La Liga. We’ll see.
Scoreboard
VALLEYAN LIGHTNING: Dimitrievski; Balliu, Aridane, Lejeune, Hawthorne; Unai Lopez (from Kike Perez in the 66th minute), Valentine; Isi (from 56′ Fruits), Trejo (from 66′ Crisp), Alvaro (from’81’ Camel); Of Thomas (dall’81 Falcao).
REAL MADRID: Lunin; Lucas (from 77′ Carvajal), Tchouameni, Nacho, Fran García; Valverde, Camavinga (from 69′ Kroos), Modric (from ’87’ Arda Guler); Brahim (from 69′ Rodrygo), Joselu, Vinícius.
GOALS: Joselu (R), De Thomas (V)
AMMONITI: Isi (V), Balliu (V), Camavinga (R), Trejo (V), De Tomas (V), Alvaro (V), Carvajal (R),
The news in six moments
04′ GOAL BY JOSELU: Brahim serves Valverde in space, ball in the middle for the attacker who only makes no mistakes in front of the goalkeeper. The linesman cancels for offside, but the VAR validates.
20′ GOAL CANCELLED FOR JOSELU: This time it’s right to cancel it, because Lucas Vaquez on the wing reaches the back, but in kicking the cross for the attacker’s winning header the ball went completely beyond the back line.
26 DE TOMAS EQUALS FROM THE SPOT: Shot by Alvaro Garcia from the center of the area. Camavinga touches the ball with his hand that ends up high. The VAR calls the referee and decrees the penalty. De Tomas makes no mistakes from the spot.
Rayo Vallecano-Real Madrid
38′ VALVERDE’S POST: Great volley from the Uruguayan from the edge of the area, the ball chips the post and goes out.
42′ ALVARO SHOOTS: Nice play by the Rayo player who advances from the wing, enters the area and tries the diagonal shot to the near post. Well done Lunin to deflect for a corner.
79′ DIMITRIEVSKI SAVES: Free kick from a good position for Real. Kroos goes to the ball, the barrier is blown but the goalkeeper puts a stop to it.
The tweet not to be missed
The best
Alvaro GARCIA: Attacks and pushes like a lion from the first to the last minute. Great performance from the Rayo striker.
The worst
Dani CARVAJAL: Very strange match, certainly not like him. He comes in, gets two yellows in five minutes and leaves the field. You don’t expect it from someone with his experience.
Xavi: “Disappointed by Dembelé, but we can’t compete with PSG”