Real Madrid Records First Defeat of its LaLiga Campaign

Real Madrid slipped to its first defeat of the LaLiga campaign against Rayo in a match played in Vallecas on November 7.
The game began at a frantic pace and the Whites went close early on with a freekick by Rodrygo, but it was Rayo who opened the scoring in the fifth minute courtesy of Santi Comesaña’s neat finish from inside the area. The visitors swiftly looked to pull level and almost found a way through with long-range strikes from Militão and Valverdem, Real Madrid said on its website.

Rayo made the most of the losses in possession by Ancelotti’s men and one of these meant that Courtois was forced into making a smart save to prevent Álvaro from making it 2-0. The Belgian once again came to his side’s rescue when he parried Isi’s fierce strike, before the madridistas equalised in the 37th minute. Asensio was fouled inside the area by Fran García, referee Martínez Munuera initially failed to award to penalty, but the VAR intervened and the spot-kick was given. Modrić stepped up to make it 1-1.

Speaking to the press after the game, Real Madrid Coach Carlo Ancelotti said: “We needed to be a bit tougher. We had trouble playing out from the back. We could’ve played more direct balls forward and we lost a few individual duels. The quality was lacking a bit for us to draw the game. We had chances to score that we’d put away normally and we were a bit below par in terms of toughness.”

"It’s hard to make it to the end and even more so when you play every three days. We’re not as fresh as we were before. In these types of games when the opposition presses you and is aggressive, you need players with fresh legs. It’s a normal thing. We’ve dropped off a bit but we’re still in the fight for everything. We’re disappointed we’re not top, but it’s a long league season. The players are focussed and doing their best. Sometimes things don’t go your way.”