Real Madrid loses points against Rayo – – 2024-02-21 17:43:12

Traffic jam in Vallecas. Everything came together for Real Madrid. The tiredness of the Champions League, a revitalized Rayo with the presence of Íñigo Pérez on the wing, the figure of Mbappé flying over the white entity and a heart-stopping afternoon for Tchouaméni. He showed that he can be an emergency centre-back, but not a regular one.

Ancelotti’s men got stuck and let a game slip away that they started by leading very early. Rayo’s brilliant start was stifled with a counterattack initiated by Brahim, followed by Valverde and completed by Joselu.

Rayo adjusted to the canon of a team with a first-time coach: more determination, more order, better spirit. He did not defeat Madrid’s initial goal and turned the tables from eleven meters, Raúl de Tomás through, to add some spice to the championship.

Rayo once again found the formula to deactivate the leader, just as they did at the Bernabéu. He knew how to suffer, he struck when he had the opportunity and ended up unhinging Real Madrid. Carvajal and Ancelotti reflect that feeling. One because he was forced by the result to pull the player and another because he saw two yellow cards in one minute and leaves the defense in the box – even more so – to travel to Seville. Camavinga will not be there either, who saw a yellow card and will complete his cycle.

The state of survival that Madrid is going through allows it to emerge unscathed from situations in which another team would fall. It happened to him in Leipzig, where he went from subjugated to victorious and in Vallecas that feeling of immortality was once again evident. Lunin and Camavinga did not understand each other and only the lack of complicity between De Tomás and Trejo helped the whites. Subsequently, Tchouaméni absurdly intercepted a cross from Álvaro García with his arm, but was saved by the rayista’s offside position. Strokes of luck aside, Ancelotti’s men played with hierarchy on a small and uncomfortable field with equal ranks.

The Rayista president intends to build a “more modern and functional” one because the current one “has become too small.” And the fans spoke out. With banners that read “neighborhood pride” or “they will not move us,” in true Chanquete style. And they are right. Vallecas is a stadium that compresses and suffocates rivals, especially the big ones, accustomed to having more space to develop their football. Although Madrid seemed to have the recipe to enlarge the field. He was shaking Rayo when the tie occurred.

Espino delayed for Trejo and his shot hit the hand that was detached from Camavinga’s body. Enough in this modern football for the VAR to set off the alarms. De Tomás confirmed it. He asked Isi for the ball and shot Lunin. His first goal of the season is here. Rayo grew. Tchouaméni was about to get into a dead end with Álvaro García, but he found the shortcut in time. It was difficult for Madrid to push towards the opposing half. Vinicius was less Vinicius, always surrounded by two or even three players from the Strip.

Ancelotti was forced to exhaust the shaker to try to emerge victorious. Kroos, Rodrygo and Carvajal inside. Although he moved the idea to the green and he ended up shooting himself in the foot when the defender saw his second yellow card in two minutes and was sent off. He will not be in Seville, where Camavinga will not travel either.

Madrid has recovered from the losses of Courtois, Militao, Alaba and Bellingham. Which prevented us from imagining that it is Rüdiger’s that is most noticeable. Barcelona cuts back to eight points, while Girona can end the day three behind the whites. Safety distances yes, although somewhat spicy. Vallecas resurrects -somewhat- a League that seemed to have a clear ownership.