Rayo Vallecano defeat inflicts further misery on Real Madrid
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Updated 28/04/2019 at 21:18 GMT
La Liga, Vallecas - Rayo Vallecano 1 (Embarba pen 23') Real Madrid 0
Rayo Vallecano's Spanish forward Alex Alegria (R) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal during the Spanish League football match between Rayo Vallecano and Real Madrid at the Vallecas Stadium in the Madrid district of Puente de Vallecas on April
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Rayo Vallecano piled yet more misery on Real Madrid as the team that started the night as La Liga’s bottom side claimed a 1-0 win over Zinedine Zidane’s underperforming side.
After watching Barcelona pick up their eighth La Liga title in 11 seasons on Saturday night, Zidane’s men suffered further indignity, losing to the second-bottom club, who are still seven points from safety.
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Real Madrid slumped to a humiliating 10th Liga defeat of the season
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Zidane made eight changes to his side following the midweek draw away to Getafe, with Mariano Diaz coming into the lineup to replace the injured Karim Benzema. Real Madrid missed their top scorer as Rayo imposed themselves from the start.
A VAR review led to the award of a Rayo Vallecano penalty kick, with the officials spotting a foul by Jesus Vallejo. Adrian Embarba stepped up to convert from the 12-yard spot, ultimately deciding the game and adding another embarrassing chapter to a poor season for Real Madrid.
TALKING POINT - Is Luka Modric finished at Real Madrid?
If Zidane is truly using these final few games of the season to trial who will stay and who will leave Real Madrid over the summer then Luka Modric should be worried.
Last year’s Ballon d’Or winner has suffered the worst season of his career and this was his worst performance to date. Modric was slack in possession and was the root of Real Madrid’s problems in the centre of the pitch. With his future in question, the Croatian has shown little to suggest to Zidane he deserves to be a part of his plans for next season.
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Luka Modric is cautioned during a disappointing display
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MAN OF THE MATCH - Mario Suarez (Rayo Vallecano)
The former Atletico Madrid man has been impressive for Rayo Vallecano since joining in the January transfer window, but this was his best performance for the club so far.
Real Madrid were overrun in the centre of the pitch and much of that was down to the performance of Mario Suarez, who controlled things in a way Toni Kroos and Modric failed to. He embodied the fighting spirit of this Rayo team.
PLAYER RATINGS
Rayo Vallecano - Alberto 7, Tito 6, Ba 7, Galvez 7, Moreno 6, Suarez 8, Uche 6, Pozo 7, Embarba 6, Guerra 6, Bebe 7. Subs - Trejo 6, Garcia 5, Medran 5.
Real Madrid - Courtois 7, Carvajal 6, Varane 6, Vallejo 7, Marcelo 4. Modric 4, Llorente 5, Kroos 5, Bale 6, Diaz 4, Ceballos 5. Subs - Isco 5, Vazquez 5, Brahim 5.
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Adri Embarba sent Thibaut Courtois the wrong way with a penalty
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KEY MOMENTS
12’ Chance for Mariano! Great play by the Real Madrid striker to take the touch to set himself up for the shot after good work by Carvajal down the right, but the block is made by Ba! That was heading into the back of the net.
13’ Courtois gets down! Rayo Vallecano come flying forward on the counter attack, with Pozo striking a low shot towards goal. However, Courtois makes the diving save at his near post. Solid from the Belgian.
20’ What a chance for Rayo! That could, and perhaps should, have been the opener for the home side! Suarez played the pass through to Pozo, Varane missed the intervention and Courtois makes the save to deny him.
21’ Bale spurns a big opportunity! The Welsh winger was played through on the counter attack, he had time to compose himself and prod the shot away, but Alberto came out to smother the effort from the Welshman!
22’ A VAR review! Play has actually been pulled back. The officials are looking at what might be a handball from Vallejo on Guerra. Or was it a foul? Anyway, there is a check going on. The incident was before Bale's chance.
23’ PENALTY KICK TO RAYO VALLECANO! The referee points to the spot following the VAR review. It was a foul by Vallejo. Big call from the officials.
24’ GOAL! Rayo Vallecano 1-0 Real Madrid: What a moment! Vallecas erupts as Rayo Vallecano take the lead against Real Madrid. Embarba stepped up to the 12-yard spot and rolled the ball into the left-hand side of the net, with Courtois diving in the opposite direction. The hosts have the advantage!
39’ GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO... NO! Mariano thinks that he has scored an equaliser for Real Madrid, lobbing Alberto in goals, but the flag is eventually raised against the striker. Correct call.
86’ Guerra rounds Courtois! The ball was played in behind for the Rayo Vallecano forward to chase. He got there first, rounded Courtois, but then Vallejo was back to make the clearance at the near post. The angle was tight for the shot.
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Madrid are third in the standings on 65 points, nine behind Atletico Madrid
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KEY STATS
Rayo Vallecano claimed their first competitive win over Real Madrid for 22 years (1997).
Real Madrid have lost 10 games in La Liga this season. They are nine points behind Atletico Madrid and 18 behind Barcelona.
Thibaut Courtois has faced more penalty kicks without making a save than any other goalkeeper in La Liga this season (eight penalties, seven scored, one missed).
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