REAL MADRID vs RAYO VALLECANO live: Updates as Los Blancos ...
Updated 05/11/2023 at 20:29 GMT
The striker meets a corner on the edge of the six-yard box, but flicks his effort wide of the far post
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VALVERDE FREE-KICK GOES INTO THE WALL
Carlo Ancelotti's side also need to be better from set-pieces. Valverde has a shooting chance from a free-kick, 25-yards out, but slams it straight into the wall
VALLECANO FRUSTRATING REAL
The visitors are sitting deep and getting men behind the ball, meaning there's not much space for Real Madrid's attacking players to work their majic. The hosts will have to be patient
NEITHER STRIKER GETTING INVOLVED
In fact, Joselu of Real Madrid and de Thomas of Rayo Vallecano have each managed just five touches after 20 minutes. They'll each be hoping to get busier as the night wears on
REAL TRYING TO FIND THAT FINAL BALL
They've broken forward on several occasions, but just can't pick out Joselu or Vinicius junior thanks to some strong defending
Rayo Vallecano attack down the middle, with Raul de Thomas feeding Alvaro Garcia, but the latter's finish is poor, dragging well wide of the far post
The England international gives the physio the thumbs up and he's okay to continue, much to the relief of Carlo Ancelotti and Gareth Southgate
The Real Madrid man is down after landing heavily. He's been receiving treatment for some time and does not look remotely comfortable
REAL MADRID BEGINNING TO FIND THEIR STRIDE
The hosts are starting to find their way into this game, although they'd like to get Bellingham on the ball a bit more. Rayo Vallecano are playing the ball out from the back, and you do wonder if that game plan could come unstuck
Big, big chance for Fede Valverde to open the scoring as he capitalises on a defensive error to burst through on goal, only to shoot too close to the 'keeper, who had rushed off his line to narrow the angle
It's been a scrappy opening, with neither team able to find any kind of flow. Vinicius junior did get forward at one point, but couldn't keep the ball in as it went out for a goal kick
1st Half
1'
We're underway at the Bernabeu!
No team in La Liga has conceded fewer goals than Real Madrid's eight, whereas Rayo Vallecano's defence have been breached just three times on the road - the best away defensive record in the division. Will something give tonight?
Here's the two starting line-ups, with no Mendy or Tchouameni for the hosts due to injury
Real Madrid won 2-1 when these two teams last met in May, with Karim Benzema and Rodrygo getting the goals. Indeed, Los Blancos have picked up a dozen successive home victories against Rayo Vallecano, who last tasted success at the Bernabeu in January 1996!
Image credit: Getty Images
FOLLOW TONIGHT'S SERIE A ACTION
Fiorentina vs Juventus has just got underway and we've got you covered for it
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VALLECANO PROVING STRONG ON THE ROAD
Rayo Vallecano have already won three away matches this season, beating Las Palmas, Granada and Almeria. They only managed four victories on the road in the entirety of the 2022/23 La Liga campaign
Image credit: Getty Images
WILL BELLINGHAM NET AGAIN?
Jude Bellingham has netted ten goals in ten games this season, including both Real Madrid strikes in the 2-1 victory over Barcelona last time out. It's been a staggering start to life in Spain
Real Madrid have still only lost one league match this season and they sit second in the table, juts three points behind leaders Girona, who've played one game more.
Rayo Vallecano on the other hand have collected an impressive 17 points from their 11 outings, with three or their last four games finishing 2-2!
Image credit: Getty Images
