Real Madrid - Rayo Vallecano summary: score, goals, highlights | LaLiga EA Sports
Real Madrid - Rayo Vallecano: as it happened
Full-time thoughts:
The points are shared in a hugely entertaining game at the Santiago Bernabéu that sees Rayo Vallecano leave with a precious point.
Francisco's side defended heroically on the night against a non-stop Real Madrid side who could not find a way past their defensive unit, despite having over 20 shots throughout the game.
Pretty much every Madrid player had a decent chance to score, but Dimitrievski had a magical game and managed to keep everything out of the goal that was constantly peppered with shots and crosses.
The Madrid attacks, despite beign frequent, were somewhat random, and Ancelotti will surely not be happy in the way that his side went about finding the goal, with frustration the key word of the night.
As the game wore on, the writing was on the wall from Madrid that it would take either a mistake or a moment of magic from somewhere to break the deadlock, but it was not to be.
Bellingham was not able to shine, possibly due to an injury scare, and Vini Jr had yet another frustrating night in front of goal.
Overall, the away dressing room will be a happier place as Rayo continue their march onto the European places. Real Madrid, for their part, keep up the fight at the top, despite the frustration.
That's all, folks!
Thanks for following the live blog of today's game. Make sure to head over to AS USA for the next week's coverage of the upcoming UEFA Champions League games!
Joe
xG winners on the night, you'll never sing that.
It was a one-sided affair in terms of chances created and pressure on goal, but the scoreboard counts for everything at the end of the day and Real Madrid will be kicking themselves that they were unable to put away one of the many chances they had to score.
How the table looks:
Real Madrid sit second in a result that Barcelona fans will be happy to see, but most of all Girona, who go to sleep as undisputed leaders of LaLiga, with a two point advantage over the side from the capital.
| T | MP | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 31 | 12 | 10 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 29 | 12 | 9 | 2 | 1 |
| 3 | 27 | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 |
| 4 | 25 | 11 | 8 | 1 | 2 |
| 5 | 21 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 3 |
A frustrating game for the home side...
But a fantastic result from Rayo who leave with a hugely valuable point at an incredibly difficult ground!
FULL TIME!!
No goals at the Bernabéu in a fascinating game!
Two minutes over the added time... Madrid launch the ball into the box and it is cleared.
We're now past the 7 added minutes.
Kroos slides in to stop Rayo's break away as an away player goes down with seconds to go.
But first, a yellow for both Rüdiger and Lejeune, and the Real Madrid man is raging with anger at something that was said.
Corner to Real Madrid...
Espino recovers Carvajal's heavy touch and Rayo survive as Madrid make it once again into the opposition box.
Rayo are doing well to keep the ball in Real Madrid's half as Los Blancos chase their shadows.
The Brazilian received the ball on the edge of the six-yard box and he tried a silky flick that was well saved by the Rayo goalkeeper!
RODRYGO'S SHOT SAVED BY DIMITRIEVSKI
Rayo clear away again. Another great header away from their goal.
Kroos is set to swing in another free-kick for Madrid, this time from the left.
The corner comes to nothing and Madrid recover the ball from Rayo's attempted counter.
SEVEN added minutes.
Dimitrievski is on the floor as Madrid win a corner following great work from Vini to win the ball high up the pitch. Players from both sides crowd the goalkeeper who I presume is fatally wounded, given the fall.
To say it's tense inside the Bernabéu would be an understatement. Rayo are now once again fighting for their lives as Madrid go on the final offensive of the night.
VINI HEADS JUST WIDE
Corner to Madrid after Lejeune deflects Rdorygo's cross out of play...
Alaba makes contact but the header is poor and Dimitrievski catches easily.
Joselu goes down on the right of the pitch and Madrid have a chance to send the ball into the box.
De Frutos ON
Isi Palazón OFF
Rayo head away to Valverde, but his pass down the line to Kroos is rushed and whizzes out of play.
Nacho ON
Camavinga OFF
Rodrygo's cross is blocked out and Madrid have a corner.
Right now I'm not sure where a goal is going to come from in this game... both sides appear to have cancelled each other out in the middle third of the pitch.
Another foul is given against Real Madrid and it's safe to say Vinicius is not a happy man.
Rayo have found a second wind from somewhere and are now forcing Real Madrid into their own defensive third. They're also well into the main chapters of the Book of Dark Arts and are trying every method available to run down the clock.
We're into the final ten minutes at the Santiago Bernabéu
No goals yet but the home side continue to attack the Rayo goal as Vini asks the crowd for more noise!
The fans are pushing the home side on as they continue to pile pressure on Rayo, but the away side know that there is more space in Madrid's middle third and are firing balls towards their refreshed forwards at any opportunity they get. It's breathless football at the Bernabéu!
Back underway and Camavinga is now on the pitch.
So, to recap, Real Madrid are playing a 4-2-1-3 with Fede and Kroos behind Bellingham.
We've got a stoppage in play as Camavinga's right eye is bleeding.
Fifteen minutes of normal time to go!
Bebé & Falcao ON
Álvaro & RDT OFF
A free-kick is given against Madrid and it's Vini who is booked after Camavinga is fouled. No, dear viewer, I don't think I understand either.
It looks like it will be backs to the wall for Rayo, who are bailing water as Madrid continue to pile on the pressure for what's left of the game.
Vini shoots just wide from a tight angle on the left.
Kroos is on and that means that Camavinga goes to left-back in an ultra-attacking roll of the dice from Carlo.
MADRID GO CLOSE AGAIN
Kroos ON
Fran García OFF
The Brazilian got in behind and slid a shot across goal from a tight angle that went just wide!
RODRYGO GOES CLOSE
That's all for now from Carlo, but it looks like a change of system from Real Madrid, who are playing a 4-3-3 with Valverde next to Camavinga while Bellingham sits behind a three of Vini, Joselu and Rodrygo.
Rodrygo ON
Modric OFF
Rayo creep forward and the ball ends up with Kepa, but that was a solid, positive move from the away side who need to step up more.
Both Rodrygo and Kroos have been called back from warming up on the sideline.
As you were...
The Spaniard was offside as the ball came over the top, despite the fact that Vini Jr was able to latch onto the pass and slot past Dimitrievski.
OFFSIDE
JOSELU IS OFFSIDE
Rayo have just stepped up their efforts to put Real Madrid under pressure...
Toni Kroos is warming up for the home side but as of yet, there's no sign of movement from Carlo on the bench.
Both players are back up.
It's a free-kick to Rayo as Camavinga's jump to head the ball was a bit too full-on and he did clatter into the Rayo winger.
The ball is fired in by Isi and Rayo get their first shot of the game away, an effort from the left that's blocked out for a corner by Carvajal.
Camavinga and Isi are both down after taking what looked like nasty falls...
Isi is fouled by Vinicius Jr after the Brazilian pulls off an outrageous flick over the head of Andrei in the corner of the Bernabéu pitch.
Arda Güler is warming up for Real Madrid!
Trejo & Kike ON
Unai López & Pathé Ciss OFF
Vini goes for a shot/cross from the left corner of the box but the effort spins and floats past the far post. A waste...
Rayo have moved their defensive block up 20 yards and it's forcing Real Madrid to problem solve from the back as they try to build up towards the wide players.
It looks like we're about to see changes to the away side.
Pathé Ciss gets booked despite also being clattered by Luka Modric after fouling the Croatian.
Fede Valverde was on a mission with his run: he burst past two challenges down the right before chipping a ball inside that was ready for Bellingham to strike... until Joselu came flying in with a diving header that sailed wide of the goal!
The ENglish midfielder is not happy with that!
AMAZING PLAY FROM REAL MADRID
JOSELU HEADS WIDE
Valverde's long-range effort is hit with his instep and easily saved by Dimitrievski.
Rayo break up the other end of the pitch and Camavinga makes a fantastic challenge inside the Madrid box to stop the counter.
The pass is poor to Dani Carvajal but the run from Vinicius to skip past three challenges as he cut inside was once again superb. The winger is enjoying himself on the ball but he can't find the final pass or shot to make the move count.
70,220 fans are inside the Bernabéu tonight.
The Brazilian twisted and turned past various challenges as he weaved his way into the box before going down under a challenge from Andrei... but the referee waves it away.
NOT GIVEN
Vini goes down in the box...
We're back underway...
Dimitrievski is receiving treatment from the Rayo doctors after he took a hit on his knee.
Modric collects the ball on the right side of the box and pokes a cross over the top with the outside of his boot.
Both Vini Jr and Joselu are waiting at the far post but neither of the two can get a touch on the ball that bounces agonisingly across goal and out of play!!!
HUGE CHANCE FOR MADRID
Madrid start brightly and immediately Mumin is forced to head away a cross from Vinicius Jr that is swung in from the left. The home side clear and then it's Lejeune who clears Bellingham's attempt at putting the ball into the box.
And we're off!
Rayo get us going in their mustard kit.
No changes for either side (although Bellingham was touching his arm before coming out onto the pitch, let's keep an eye on him).
Here come the players for the second half!
Bellingham included.
Half-time Bellingham update:
Nobody is warming up on the pitch for Los Blancos, which leads us to believe that Bellingham is OK.
Vini yet to shine tonight
Despite the bright start, it's not been a successful night for Vinicius Jr, who is yet to have a single shot at goal. He has completed 4 of 6 dribbles, however, so perhaps the potential is there is he keeps going at the Rayo defence like he has done so far.
See more about Vini's new contract with Real Madrid, as well as the plethora of other young stars who are set to sign long-terms deals with the club.
Half-time stats: RM-RAY
xG: 1.39-0.04
Shots: 12-1
Shots on target: 2-0
Shots off target: 6-1
Possession: 61-39
Goals prevented: 0.00 - 0.62
Clearances: 1-18
Here's more from Roddy on that Bellingham injury scare, which had all of us biting our fingernails in the first half of the game.
Half-time thoughts:
Real Madrid have dominated in a first half full of chances for the home side. Rayo have defended well but they knew it would be this way coming into the game, and Álvaro has had a few chances coming down the left side.
But really, it's been slim pickings for the away side who have been forced to defend for their lives as Real Madrid pile on the pressure. Dimitrievski has made a few fabulous saves, most of all against Valverde in the opening minutes of the game, when the Uruguayan was through 1vs1 and really should have scored.
A huge injury scare came from Bellingham after the Englishman took a fall, but he was OK to carry on and from then on has been excellent.
Joselu has had the pick of the other chances for Los Blancos, but he's failed to put any away so far. With the way things are going, however, it feels like a matter of time before the deadlock is broken.
Half-time!
That's all in what has been a breathtaking first half!
The ball is chipped over the Rayo defence by Alaba and Joselu, who has made a great run behind Mumin, can't get a touch as it flies out of play.
SO CLOSE FROM JOSELU
We've got 3 added minutes.
Andrei is booked for a foul on Vini Jr... it was a high foot into the air after he was sent rolling on the floor by the Brazilian.
Seriously, what can't this guy do?
Bellingham gets the ball on the edge of a crowded box with his back to goal. He stops the bounce, spins around on a sixpence, shimmies his body to the right and fires a small meteorite off the end of his boot that blazes over the grateful goal of Dimitrievski.
BELLINGHAM OVER THE BAR
Real Madrid are keeping up their press and levels of intensity, although their play is not as gung-ho as it has been in the past 15 minutes, which has been a huge onslaught for Rayo to defend.
Rayo's best spell of possession comes to an end after a long ball from Lejeune is headed back to Kepa by Carvajal.
Five minutes to go.
Vini dances around Andrei and plays a low ball back towards Joselu, who is level with the penalty spot. The forward swings a wild leg at the ball and somehow the goalkeeper gets a huge hand to the effort from the Spaniard!
WHAT A SAVE FROM DIMITRIEVSKI
Alaba complains to the referee after he lets play go on despite the Rayo attack being clearly offside... the crowd aren't happy either as Álvaro was as least a yard ahead of Carvajal.
Madrid go close again with Joselu, who calmly flicks the ball over the head of a defender (yes, really) before seeing his cross blocked out for a corner.
A perfect interception from Mumin!
The ball from Bellingham looked to slice through the Rayo defence and see Joselu through on his own, but an acrobatic dive from the centre-back put a much-needed stop to Madrid's attack.
Vini Jr's outside of the boot cross is cleared by Lejeune but it's all Real Madrid at the moment...
A one-two with Bellingham gave Alaba all the time and space in the world to jog through the middle of Rayo's effort at a defensive block and launch a rocket from the edge of the box that whizzed over the goal.
ALABA FIRES OVER FROM DISTANCE
It's delightful from Bellingham to slide in Fran García after skipping past Isi on halfway.
The full-back, who made a run inside the midfielder instead of outside on the wing, slid past his defender and brought the ball back on his preferred left foot before smashing over the bar from inside the box.
FRAN GARCÍA OVER THE BAR
Half an hour has just ticked over on the big Bernabéu clock.
A sublime square pass from Modric on the right side of the box finds Carvajal level with the penalty spot. The full-back advances but Espino gets enough of a challenge in to put him off and allow Dimitrievski the time to rush out and collect.
Rüdiger tries a shot from a distance that only Rüdiger could. The ball is blocked after travelling a few yards.
This is certainly Madrid's best spell of the game, Rayo haven't had anything worth comment for 5-10 minutes now.
Madrid go again and Joselu finds a yard on the right side of the box and tries his luck from distance, but his effort is dragged a good metre or so wide of the left post.
The cross is superb from Madrid's captain and Joselu flicks his head at the ball instead of smashing it towards goal, causing it to fly wide of the far post.
JOSELU HEADS WIDE
The Uruguayan does indeed go for the thunder crack, but the Rayo wall does well to block the effort and Madrid win a corner.
Real Madrid win a free-kick in the central channel of Rayo's half but it looks too far out to shoot, surely.
Valverde, anyone?
We've had a positive few minutes from Real Madrid but Rayo have found a few momentary openings with Álvaro García on the left. If only he had a left-back partner who could double up on his opposite number. Oh, he's playing for Real Madrid.
Carvajal finds a few yards on the right and fires in a low cross towards Joselu, who is snooping around the six-yard box. Dimitrievski ccollects.
On second viewing, it's most certainly a foul from Mumin, who went in arm-first on the Madrid winger as he arrived into the box from the right. He's lucky to have all his teeth left.
Vinicius has had a few moments now where he's seen space open up behind Andrei and he's gone for it, bursting down the wing like a shot.
Currently the Brazilian is on the floor after being brought down by Mumin, but Mr. Referee says no, señor.
Injury update: Bellingham just took a throw in and then raised his arm to his chest/collar bone, as though it hurt.
This is the sort of information I know you want.
Vini goes down under a challenge from Pathé Ciss who got a long leg in to snatch the ball from the Brazilian on halfway. Probably one of those that isn't a foul but looks like one at first glance due to the power in the tackle.
Real Madrid decide it's their turn to pile on the pressure and push Rayo Vallecano back into their box, but the away side are having none of it and fight back, keeping the home side at bay 30-40 yards from goal.
Real Madrid make a mistake in build-up and Raúl De Tomás lets Álvaro free on the left but the winger's shot is skewed and spins wide of the far post.
ÁLVARO FIRES WIDE FOR RAYO
Real Madrid are holding onto the ball as play resumes and do not fear, I'll keep an eye on Jude.
We're back underway... with Bellingham on the pitch!
Hold on, viewers, it looks like Bellingham is OK to carry on!
The stretcher is being brought out for Bellingham!
Bellingham is still receiving treatment from the doctors as Rodrygo warms up next to Ancelotti.
The Englishman fell over as he used his chest to recover the ball. It looks like a shoulder injury at this stage...
Bellingham is down injured after that recovery. It looks like his shoulder.
Vini Jr gives away a free-kick after a late shove on Andrei as the right-back tried to break forward down the line. Rayo get the ball and build up nicely in the middle third, with Bellingham eventually recovering for the home side.
Honestly, I was typing 'no chances for either side so far' right as Fede broke through and shot. I should charge for my psychic powers.
That chance came out of nowhere but neither side had been able to find their groove. Let's see if things change after that huge let-off for the away team.
Valverde stole the ball in the middle of the pitch and his huge touch took out Rayo Vallecano's entire defensive line and left him 1vs1 with the goalkeeper. Fede shot low to his left and somehow Dimitrievski got a foot to the ball as the fans had already began to cheer for the goal!
THE ENTIRE BERNABÉU THOUGHT IT WAS A GOAL
HUGE SAVE FROM DIMITRIEVSKI
He's up on his feet and we're back underway...
Ouch. Bellingham goes in a bit late on Óscar Valentín and it looks like he's hurt his shoulder.
An intense first few minutes with both sides having to play at 200% speed under incredible pressure... Alaba takes the ball from the midfield who go backwards and the Austrian asks for calm.
Vini and Bellingham link up on the left wing but Andrei does well to get a foot in on the Englishman and stab the ball away as he arrives into the box. Nice defending.
Immediately it's a 4-4-2 from Madrid with Vini Jr up top next to Joselu; Bellingham has drifted out to the left and Fede is on the right.
Rayo Vallecano have burst out of the blocks and are pressing Los Blancos in the opening seconds...
AND WE'RE OFF!
The home side get us going from left to right.
But first...
A quick photo for Jude Bellingham with his LaLiga Player of the Month trophy, which looks like a free cup you get from McDonalds during a promotion.
Other fast food chains are available.
Real Madrid are in all white while Rayo are wearing a mustard shirt/short outfit with black socks. Very Halloween-y.
If you've just joined us: welcome!
Here's a final reminder before KO of the starting XIs:
REAL MADRID:
Kepa
Carvajal - Rüdiger - Alaba - Fran García
Camavinga - Modric (c) - Valverde
Bellingham
Vinicius Jr - Joselu
RAYO VALLECANO:
Dimitrievski
Andrei - Mumin - Lejeune - Espino
Valentín
Isi - P. Ciss - Unai López - Álvaro
RDT
Here come the players!
The tunnel is filling up with the two starting XIs before they make their way out onto the pitch for the match day 12 game in LaLiga EA Sports!
Will Real Madrid overtake Girona at the top of the table or will Rayo Vallecano be able to surprise on the night and maintain their push for European football?
Well, there's only one way to find out...
Remember, if you want to watch the game, then here you have all the information that you need.
We've got less than ten minutes to go until kick-off!
ISABEL INFANTES / REUTERS
The atmosphere is hotting up!
The fans inside the Santiago Bernabéu are braving the cold in support of their side and have not stopped singing since they arrived!
Kick-off is not far away now, so let's hope that the game lives up to what the fans are offering ahead of the first whistle!
Less than ten minutes to go!
The players have left the pitch and are making their way down the tunnel for the final team talks ahead of kick-off!
Real Madrid: Kepa; Carvajal, Rüdiger, Alaba, Fran García; Modric, Camavinga, Fede; Bellingham; Vini Jr, Joselu
Rayo: Dimitrievski; Espino, Lejeune, Mumin, Andrei; Valentín, P. Ciss; Álvaro, Unai, Isi; R.D.T.
Get involved!
Join in on the socials - we've got a live poll up and running on Twitter where you can give your opinion. Dare to give us a score prediction?
The pre-game warmups are underway!
Both teams have stepped out onto the pitch and they have started their warmups ahead of kick-off!
Pre-game interview: Rayo Vallecano
You just try to visualise everything going right, the start of the season has been good, we have worked hard and got good points to be able to stay up, which is our goal.
We have prepared to compete and we are a strong team. It's tough but we're excited.
Bellingham is great, versatile, and scores, he plays well off the ball as well. Vini as well, he is dangerous, just like all their players.
Half an hour to go!
The stadium is slowly filling up as the streets empty around the ground and the atmosphere is building in a chilly Madrid! I'm not complaining, however, as we've got a fantastic game ahead of us!
Here he is!
Whether we see him tonight or not, it's still quite exciting to have Arda Güler finally in the Real Madrid squad for the game.
It's no exaggeration to say that the sense of anticipation to see the young Turk has been through the roof ever since his arrival in Spain!
Sebastian Widmann / Getty Images
Madrid-linked Alphonso Davies is causing Bayern trouble
The Canadian full-back is reportedly annoying Bayern Munich as the player continues to be linked with a move to Real Madrid. The German club feel that no progress has been made regarding the renewal of his contract, which is due to expire in June 2025 and contact has already been established between the player and Madrid.
Davies' agent said: “We are taking our time to see how things develop. Right now, we haven’t made any final decisions on anything. Real Madrid is a big club. I have always been a fan of the club - as a [football] fan, in general. When you have an athlete, like Alphonso, that you manage - not to take anything away from Bayern Munich, they are a big club, there are five big ones on the globe and Bayern definitely is one of those clubs, look bad. There are five big clubs in the world and Bayern is one of them. But Real Madrid is a big name, a big brand, 14 Champions Leagues… I mean, when you hear the rumors that they’re interested in a player you manage, it makes you proud”.
We've got 45 minutes to go!
Here is a reminder of the starting XIs:
REAL MADRID:
Kepa
Carvajal - Rüdiger - Alaba - Fran García
Camavinga - Modric (c) - Valverde
Bellingham
Vinicius Jr - Joselu
RAYO VALLECANO
Dimitrievski
Andrei - Mumin - Lejeune - Espino
Valentín
Isi - P. Ciss - Unai López - Álvaro
RDT
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Jude Bellingham has made a superb start to his time at Real Madrid and jersey sales prove his popularity is soaring.
The midfielder has 13 goals in 13 games and picked up the Kopa Trophy at the Ballon d'Or awards, making him the undisputed best player in the world.
And he's certainly having that effect on the fans, too, as football shirt companies have sold more jerseys bearing the Madrid man’s name on the back in Europe in October than any other player...
Rayo starting XI:
It's a strong lineup from Francisco and one that includes former Real Madrid man, R.D.T.
The legend is in the building...
Modric may not be the happiest bunny rabbit in the family this season given the fact that the younger players are seeing more minutes than the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner, but Luka's performance in Real Madrid's 2-1 win over FC Barcelona last week was one for the history books.
The Croatian came on as a substitute and completely changed the dynamic of the game, giving Madrid a much-needed boost in the middle third and literally moving his team forward on the pitch.
As such, he's wearing the armband for Los Blancos tonight as he starts in a midfield alonside Camavinga and Valverde.
Julian Finney
New contracts for Brazilian duo
The revolution in the Real Madrid squad continues.
Not so out with the old, but the new(ish) are here to stay, as Vini Jr (2027) and Rodrygo (2028) have signed new deals at the club to keep them there for the foreseeable future.
Despite the form dipping this season for both for various reasons, the faith in the talent has not diminished and the Brazilian duo’s deals are set to be the start of a wave of new contracts for Madrid’s youthful core of world-class talent.
Want to watch the game tonight from the US?
Well, here's how you can feast your eyes on the football fun taking place in the Spanish capital as Real Madrid go up against their cross-city rivals, Rayo Vallecano.
Rayo arrive at the stadium
We've got just over an hour to go and the away side have also just arrived at the stadium ahead of kick-off.
Bellingham is already on the pitch...
The Englishman has arrived with the rest of the Real Madrid squad at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu and he's just stepped out onto the turf to inspect the surface and carry out his pre-game ritual of visualising how things will go once the referee blows the whistle.
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Here's how things went for Real Madrid's title rivals last night...
The definition of ‘smash and grab’ was rewritten last night in northern Spain. Real Sociedad battered Barcelona from pillar to post, spinning, twisting, weaving and at times, almost literally dancing their way through the Catalan side who did not manage to get a decent hold of the ball until the 80th minute of the game.
Ter Stegen was the hero until La Real’s energy dropped and Barça used their substitute bench over and over again in attempts from Xavi to find a solution.
In the end it took the tightest of (correct) offside calls by VAR to give Ronald Araújo’s 94th minute header which crushed a Real Sociedad side who deserved more.
Xavi called the performance “unacceptable”and said that his side had a “Clásico hangover”. They’re one point behind Real Madrid now, so it’s up to Carlo to keep the pressure away from the capital and over in Cataluña.
Real Madrid's Mbappé statement:
Los Blancos yesterday released a statement regarding rumours of a salary agreement between the club and PSG forward, Kylian Mbappé.
“In view of the information recently published by various media outlets regarding alleged negotiations between the player Kylian Mbappé and our club, Real Madrid C.F. would like to state that this information is categorically false and that no such negotiations have taken place with any player belonging to PSG..”
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Rejoice, Real Madrid fans! Little Arda Güler is back!
Well, he was never here, not in the squad, anyway. The Turkish delight has had a tough time at Real Madrid since his much-anticipated move from Fenerbahçe and injuries have caused him to miss out since the squad’s pre-season tour of the USA.
Now, after recovering, relapsing and recovering again (and again), he’s made it into Ancelotti’s squad and is on the bench for the game. As mentioned earlier, if things go well, we could expect to see the little wizard and finally find out why everyone is so excited to see him tie his laces.
Carlo never fails with his early starting XI:
Kepastarts with Carvajal, Alaba, Rüdiger and Fran García ahead of him.
Modric captains in midfield alongside CamavingaandFede Valverde.
Vini Jr and Joselu are up top with Bellingham in the hole.
Rayo league position update:
Athletic Club are currently 0-3 up at Villarreal so the three points currently look likely for The Lions. That means a result for Rayo is needed to keep them out of the mid-table mix, although they can't finish in the bottom half of the table whatever happens today.
The Bernabéu is ready ahead of kick-off...
We're waiting for Carlo's early team news, but for now, here's how the home stadium looks after it's 'redevelopment'.
Rayo's league position:
As for Rayo, they sit comfortably in 8th place going into this tricky tie.
They have lost just twice all season but 5 draws have seen them drop points where they might otherwise have looked to pick them up, but going into a post-Iraola season, I don’t think there is much to complain about in terms of their league position.
A win, although unlikely, would see them push their way into the European places in the table, depending on how Villarreal (12th) vs Athletic (7th) goes. As I say, they’re plodding along nicely, but a derby is never a game to take lightly so expect them not to hold back.
| T | MP | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | 19 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 3 |
| 8 | 18 | 12 | 5 | 3 | 4 |
| 9 | 17 | 11 | 4 | 5 | 2 |
| 10 | 17 | 12 | 5 | 2 | 5 |
| 11 | 13 | 12 | 4 | 1 | 7 |
How the table looks for Los Blancos:
The Girona train keeps on rolling and the Catalans are sitting pretty at the top of the LaLiga tree. Real Madrid can once again leapfrog them with a win at home, and would go ahead with 3 points from today.
Barcelona’s last-gasp winyesterday over Real Sociedad has seen the blaugrana creep up behind and they are currently just a single point away from Madrid, so a positive result for Carlo and his team would do no harm in keeping their title challenge in their own hands.
| T | MP | W | D | L | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 31 | 12 | 10 | 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 28 | 11 | 9 | 1 | 1 |
| 3 | 27 | 12 | 8 | 3 | 1 |
| 4 | 25 | 11 | 8 | 1 | 2 |
| 5 | 21 | 12 | 6 | 3 | 3 |
Team news: Rayo Vallecano
Francisco is a lucky man as he can welcome back Oscar Valentin to the squad after he served a suspension against Real Sociedad, in which Bebé scored a late equaliser. And that’s it: there are no injury concerns for the south Madrid side.
Team news: Real Madrid
Carlo Ancelotti has had a selection migraine this week as various players are battling for few positions on the pitch. Thibaut Courtois and Éder Militão are both out long term while Dani Ceballos, Aurelién Tchouaméni and Ferland Mendy are stillaweek(and an international break) away from full fitness.
But there is good news: Arda Güler has returned to full training and he is finally in the match day squad! The rumours spinning and circling around the city are that if things go well against Francisco’s side then the Turk might see minutes at long last.
We're up and rolling with the live blog...
Hello and a warm welcome from what I’d say is a slightly-cooler-than-chilly Madrid: I’ve not gone as far to bring a flask with vegetable soup with me, but I’ve got one thermal layer on in early November.
However, I’m sure the Bernabéu atmosphere is going to get everyone’s body temperature up as we’ve got a capital city derby on our hands!
Real Madrid take on Rayo Vallecano and it’s Joe at the AS USA live blog keyboard to guide you through the action as it unfolds.