Rayo Vallecano vs Real Madrid Player Ratings: Los Blancos held by Rayo Vallecano in an entertaining Madrid derby that finishes 3-3

Rayo Vallecano shared spoils against local rivals Real Madrid after an entertaining 3-3 draw. In a Madrid derby late into Saturday night, Vallecano made a dream start to the game by going into the lead just four minutes in. They even doubled their advantage before Real Madrid came back to life. Valverde and Bellingham scored before the halftime whistle in an entertaining first half that had four goals. More chaos ensued in the second half as Real Madrid took the lead for the first time through Rodrygo before being pegged back by Isi Palazon. Vallecano could’ve even won it late on via a free kick.

After a frantic start to the game, the hosts had a convincing opening few minutes. De Frutos found space on the right-hand side before curling an inch-perfect cross into the middle. Questions should be asked as to how Unai Lopez had that much space in the box as he headed Rayo into the lead. Real Madrid needed motivation to get back into the game and it really took Vallecano scoring again to become the trigger. It was a simple header for Abdul Mumin as he guided Isi Palazon’s cross past Courtois. Real Madrid then woke up and changed the game in a flash. First, it was Valverde with a vicious dipping strike from, 35 yards out that cut their deficit. Just minutes later, Jude Bellingham diverted Rodrygo’s in-swinging cross. Real Madrid then threatened to complete the comeback by going into the lead but Vallecano held on as the half-time whistle gave them some respite.

Early in the second half, Arda Guler thought he gave Madrid the lead but the flag went up against him. There were no doubts soon as Rodrygo let one fly off his left foot and it deflected off Ratiu giving Batalla no chance. However, there was more drama as Isi Palazon touched home with his left foot from close range to divert Lejeune’s cross. It set up a thrilling final quarter of the game as both sides pushed for the winner. Lejeune came the closest with an excellent late-freekick. The hosts played with a lot of swagger but ultimately held the fort as they escaped with a point.

The draw keeps Real Madrid just a point behind Barcelona. This would be an opportunity squandered to take the lead at the top of the table. However, this leaves Rayo Vallecano in the midtable with a key point picked up in a Madrid derby.

Rayo Vallecano Player Ratings vs Real Madrid

Goalkeeper

Augusto Batalla: 6.5/10- Largely not called into action before Madrid stuck twice in quick succession. Couldn’t have done anything for the goals he conceded. An excellent save to deny Vinicus late on in the game. Carried on playing with an injury to see out the game.

Defenders

Andrei Ratiu: 5/10- Rodrygo constantly made his life difficult with runs into the box and teasing him with his footwork. Deflected Rogrygo’s effort as well in the second half.

Florian Lejeune: 7/10- The veteran centre-back was not strong enough in the duel as Bellingham scored the equaliser. He made up for it with a fantastic cross for Vallecano’s third goal.

Abdul Mumin: 7/10- He was a regular threat at set pieces and made his presence count by doubling Rayo Vallecano’s advantage. Great defensive determination to hold onto a point.

Pep Chavarria: 6/10- Dealt with the threat of Brahim Diaz well and often found some pockets to attack going forward.

Midfielders

Pathe Ciss: 5.5/10- The Senegalese was tidy on the ball but, off the ball Madrid used his indecisiveness to attack. Couldnt close Valverde quickly enough before he scored a rocket.

Unai Lopez: 7/10- The Spaniard ghosted into the box just four minutes in to give the hosts the lead. Could not control effectively in the second half as Madrid took charge.

Jorge de Frutos: 6.5/10- Delivered a sumptuous cross that was turned home by Unai Lopez. Kept asking questions on the break in the second half.

Isi Palazon: 8.5/10- Enjoying life as an attacking midfielder, Isi picked up another assist from a setpiece. He then touched Lejeune’s cross home to grab an unlikely equaliser for Vallecano.

Adrian Embarba: 6/10- Often the out ball on the left flank, could not do much with the ball. Hooked off early in the second half as he couldn’t trouble Madrid.

Attackers

Randy Nteka: 6/10- The game bypassed the forward for large spells as Vallecano thrived to play on the counter and from the flanks instead of through him.

Substitutes

Alvaro Garcia: 6/10

Oscar Valentin: 6.5/10

Segio Camello: 6/10

Ivan Balliu: 6/10

Pedro Diaz: 6/10

Manager

Inigo Perez: 7/10- His side had a fantastic start to the game but could not capitalise even after taking a two-goal lead. Failed to keep his players alert as Real Madrid turned the tide easily. Forced to tinker with his substitutions in the second half as they tried to chase the game. At 3-3 the coach showed more intent to win the game rather than play for a point. They even dug out defensively and held onto the point bravely.

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Real Madrid Player Ratings vs Rayo Vallecano

Goalkeeper

Thibaut Courtois: 5.5/10- The usually reliable Belgian wasn’t at his best. He should’ve surely done more when Isi just got a feeble touch for Vallecano’s third goal of the night.

Defenders

Lucas Vasquez: 6/10- Another shift at right-back for the winger as Carvajal is still away. He has been average on a defensive front and couldn’t offer more threat going forward.

Aurelien Tchouameni: 5.5/10- The Frenchman was quickly identified as a weak link in Madrid’s defence by the hosts. Him being rusty didn’t help Madrid’s cause as Vallecano pressed him well.

Antonio Rudiger: 5/10- The German was caught ball-watching and was guilty of letting Isi run past him for Vallecano’s equaliser. Couldnt impose himself on the setpieces while defending or even attacking.

Fran Garcia: 6/10- There’s a long way to go if the Spaniard wants to become the first-choice left-back. The Spaniard was caught out defensively many times. Though he offered himself in attack, nothing tangible came out of it.

Midfielders

Arda Guler: 6.5/10- Picked up two assists by simply rolling the ball into the feet of players. He should’ve had a goal in the first half as he squandered Vasquez’s cross. Had a goal disallowed for offside.

Federico Valverde: 7.5/10- The Uruguayan scored his 4th league goal of the campaign and all of them have come from outside of the box. Wished he had done more defensively to prevent the hosts from scoring three.

Luka Modric: 6/10- A rather average night for the Croatian maestro. Tried to join the attack a lot more tonight as Madrid chased the winner. Was running out of steam and needed replacing.

Brahim Diaz: 6/10- He was the least involved in Real Madrid’s attack and was wasteful when he had the ball at his feet.

Attackers

Jude Bellingham: 8/10- The Englishman was used as a forward as Vinicius was only fit off the bench. He did his duty well as he converted Rodyrgo’s cross to equalise for Madrid in the first half. Then dropped into the midfield for the second half as Madrid looked for the winner.

Rodrygo: 8.5/10- Asked to lead the line in the absence of Mbappe and Vinicius, the Brazilian stepped up. He set up Bellingham’s equaliser before scoring his first league goal in a long time to give Madrid the lead.

Substitutes

Vinicius Jr: 7/10

Eduardo Camavinga: 6.5/10

Endrick: 6/10

Dani Ceballos: 6/10

Manager

Carlo Ancelotti: 6/10- The Italian manager is getting players back into the squad with every passing game. Named a makeshift lineup with Rodyrgo leading the line. The Brazilian repaid his faith with a goal and assist. He would’ve been relieved to use Camavinga and Vinicius off the bench. Would be very disappointed as his side couldn’t make it to the top of the table.

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