Missing out on the chance to claim Madrid bragging rights on Sunday night, Los Blancos eventually had to settle for a 0-0 stalemate against Rayo Vallecano.
While Carlo Ancelotti’s side might have been tipped as a landslide contender when they returned to the Bernabeu this weekend, Real Madrid put in a largely toothless performance on home soil.
Dethroned at the top of the La Liga table by a record-breaking Girona, Madrid were clearly frustrated after drawing their first domestic blank of the season.
Although Ancelotti’s camp might have missed out on the chance to get one over on their local rivals, Vallecano deserve an abundance of praise for a gritty display across the capital.
Still dreaming of the chance to mount a genuine European charge this time around, the Little Thunderbolts have now played out a stalemate in six of their previous seven La Liga appearances.
On a night when Real Madrid dropped domestic points for just a third time, we have taken a look at the key talking points from Sunday’s showdown at the Bernabeu.
Madrid dethroned at the top of the La Liga table
Mounting a famous last-gasp comeback against bitter rivals Barcelona last weekend as they eventually snatched a remarkable 2-1 victory in Catalonia, Real Madrid were seeking a repeat performance here.
Coming under plenty of scrutiny last season as they missed out on the chance to defend their domestic crown by a 10-point deficit, Ancelotti’s men have plenty of pressure on their shoulders this time around.
However, although Los Blancos might have suffered just a single domestic defeat since opening up the 2023/24 campaign, Madrid will know that they missed out on a golden opportunity here.
Watching a high-flying Girona leapfrog them at the top of the La Liga table, Ancelotti was certainly frustrated by a toothless performance by his superstar squad on Sunday night.
Although many across La Liga might still feel that Los Blancos are a leading contender to reclaim their top-flight title this season, Ancelotti would have made it clear that he is demanding more stability ahead of November’s international break.
A rare quiet night for Bellingham
Stealing most the summer headlines after completing a blockbuster £100million move from German giants Borussia Dortmund, Jude Bellingham has enjoyed a record-breaking start to life in Madrid.
Already cementing his spot as Ancelotti’s leading man this season and continuing to make history by the week, the former Birmingham starlet was certainly looking to make another La Liga statement here.
However, although Bellingham might have opened Sunday’s showdown by notching 10 strikes in as many La Liga appearances, the England international struggled to find top gear at the Bernabeu.
Failing to get much change out of a rugged Vallecano defence, Bellingham will be seeking an immediate response when Los Blancos turn their attention back to Champions League duties in midweek.
Already bagging three European strikes, Bellingham and Real Madrid will be next seen on Wednesday night when they host Portuguese outfit Braga.
Vallecano extend on their stalemate flurry
While Rayo Vallecano might have made the trip across Madrid on Sunday night knowing that they faced a real uphill battle, the Little Thunderbolts put in another rugged performance.
Although Francisco’s side might have been disappointed last season as they eventually missed out on the chance to book a top-half La Liga finish, some around the Campo de Futbol de Vallecas now have their sights set on mounting a genuine European charge.
Extending on their Copa del Rey adventure earlier in the week thanks to a routine 6-0 romp away at lower-league Atletico de Lugones, Vallecano should take a host of positives away from an eye-catching display against their crosstown rivals.
Not suffering a single La Liga defeat since way back on September 2nd, Sunday’s guests sit just two points adrift of breaking into the top-six.
While Franciso’s European outsiders might have been forced to settle for a single point in six of their previous seven La Liga appearances, they have already proven to be a tricky test for all of Spain’s elite.
Match Report
Real Madrid: Kepa, Carvajal, Rudiger, Alaba, Garcia, Valverde, Modric, Camavinga, Bellingham, Joselu, Vinicius Junior
Subs: Nacho, Rodrigo, Kroos
Ray Vallecano: Dimitrievski, Ratiu, Mumin, Lejeune, Espino, Valentin, Garcia, Ciss, Lopez, Palazon, de Tomas
Subs: Bebe, Trejo, Falcao, Perez, De Frutos
Goals: N/A
Yellow Cards: Real Madrid: Rudiger, Camavinga, Vinicius Junior Rayo Vallecano: Ratiu, Lejeune, Ciss, Dimitrievski, Trejo
Red Cards: N/A
Referee: Juan Martinez Munuera
