Carlo Ancelotti's side missed their main man as they were forced to settle for a point.
For the first time, Real Madrid missed Jude Bellingham. Los Blancos have coped without him before – winning each of the games he has sat out. But this time, the Englishman's attacking impetus was vital. And Carlo Ancelotti's side looked short on ideas without it, struggling their way to a 1-1 draw with a brave Rayo Vallecano side.
Los Blancos took the lead early, Federico Valverde providing an inch-perfect cross to Joselu – who finished a well-constructed counter. Rayo were handed a lifeline by an Eduardo Camavinga handball inside the box. Raul de Tomas smashed the ensuing penalty into the net. Madrid almost scored a second on the brink of half-time, when Valverde cracked a volley off the post.
But Los Blancos offered little else, and Rayo looked more likely to score after the break. Aurelien Tchouameni prevented a certain Rayo goal early in the second half, chasing down Alvaro Garcia and preventing his effort with a clever lunge. Late Madrid changes added some attacking thrust. Toni Kroos turned in a classy cameo, and forced a neat save from a free-kick.
Still, it wasn't enough, and Ancelotti's side were forced to settle for a frustrating point.
GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from Vallecas…
Goalkeeper & Defence
Andriy Lunin (5/10):
Couldn't do anything about the Rayo penalty in his only real action of the day.
Lucas Vazquez (5/10):
Offered some attacking ideas down the wing in the early goings, but was rather pushed back by Rayo's brave press.
Aurelien Tchouameni (6/10):
Another solid shift at centre-back. He flies into tackles a bit too often. Made up for his own mistake with a vital tackle in the second half.
Nacho (6/10):
Tidy and reliable. Didn't have much of an impact – which isn't necessarily a bad thing.
Fran Garcia (6/10):
Tried a bit too hard at times against his former club. Scampered down the left with regularity, but an ill-advised shot that flew into the street behind the net encapsulated his troubles.
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Federico Valverde (7/10):
Provided a lovely assist for Joselu. Full of legs in central areas. It would be nice to see him get forward more – he makes things happen.
Eduardo Camavinga (6/10):
Gave away the Rayo penalty, even if he was slightly unlucky. Closed down spaces well, and was tidy in possession. Unlucky to be subbed.
Luka Modric (5/10):
Classy on the ball, but he doesn't have the legs to press as effectively anymore, and it showed.
Brahim Diaz (4/10):
Barely involved – less than a week removed from his most important showing in a Madrid shirt to date.
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Joselu (7/10):
Had the ball in the net twice within 20 minutes – even if only one of them counted. Made all of the necessary runs, and got into good areas. Needed better service, all told.
Vinicius Jr (6/10):
As entertaining as ever, without being particularly effective – aside from a few dangerous runs. He doesn't seem to have the best understanding with Joselu.
GettySubs & Manager
Toni Kroos (7/10):
A wonderful cameo that brought some attacking ideas. Should have come on earlier.
Rodrygo (5/10):
Lively without being particularly effective.
Dani Carvajal (2/10):
Sent off for two silly yellows.
Arda Guler (N/A):
No time to make an impact.
Carlo Ancelotti (5/10):
Rotated heavily with a theoretically easy contest ahead. But Rayo made it difficult for Madrid, and Ancelotti's side didn't deserve more than a point. He probably could have introduced Kroos earlier, or brought Guler on. Otherwise, though, he simply missed his best player.