Carlo Ancelotti's side were good going forward without Kylian Mbappe, only to be let down by mistakes at the back.
Real Madrid lost the chance to go top of La Liga Saturday night, scrapping their way to a chaotic 3-3 draw with Rayo Vallecano. Jude Bellingham scored for the fifth straight game, but he alone couldn't redeem what was an otherwise forgettable defensive performance from Carlo Ancelotti's side – with the reigning La Liga champions conceding a trio of preventable goals.
Los Blancos were poor for 40 minutes. And Rayo made them pay. They scored two nearly identical goals in the 4th and 36th minute, a ball to a fall post and header back across Thibaut Courtois undoing the Madrid defence.
But they soon responded. Federico Valverde bagged the first, smashing home from 30 yards out. Bellingham equalised in short order, darting towards goal to meet Rodrygo's angled cross with a fine header. Madrid might have won it when Rodrygo's deflected strike flew into the net shortly after the break. But Rayo had an answer, club veteran Isi Palazon providing a tidy finish after ghosting into the box unmarked.
Madrid, in truth, never looked likely to get a winner. Vinicius Jr offered attacking thrust, without much cutting edge. And although Los Blancos had the majority of the ball, concrete chances came few and far between. The Brazilian came closest, but could only sting the palms of the goalkeeper from a tight angle.
GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from Vallecas…
AFPGoalkeeper & Defence
Thibaut Courtois (5/10):
Hard to fault him for either of the first two goals, but he might have been able to smother the third.
Lucas Vazquez (5/10):
Beaten at the back post for the Rayo opener, and could have been cleaner with his final ball.
Aurelien Tchouameni (5/10):
Didn't track the late runner on one goal, and lost sight of another on the equaliser. Doesn't seem much of an upgrade on youngster Raul Asencio at all.
Antonio Rudiger (6/10):
Won pretty much everything in the air, but wasn't exactly the assured presence needed when Rayo hit on the break. Produced a vital late clearance.
Fran Garcia (6/10):
Mixed against his old club. Showed some real attacking intent at times, but was also caught out of position on Rayo's first.
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Federico Valverde (7/10):
Smashed one home from 30 yards out to cue the comeback. More assured on the ball than in recent weeks. Solid at right-back when needed, too.
Luka Modric (5/10):
A bit mixed. Some really lovely passages of play, but was simply outrun at times.
Arda Guler (7/10):
Ended the game with two assists, despite not really being involved all that much.
Jude Bellingham (8/10):
A fine midfield performance. Useful at both ends, and scored for his fifth straight game with a lovely glancing header.
AFPAttack
Brahim Diaz (5/10):
Managed 26 touches in a disappointing hour of work. Hasn't quite hit the heights of last season.
Rodrygo (7/10):
Made the most of his start, causing problems constantly. Delivered a crucial assist for Bellingham, and scored the third – albeit with the help of a hefty deflection.
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Vinicius Jr (6/10):
Full of energy, but lacking in sharpness and cutting edge. Should have scored late on.
Eduardo Camavinga (7/10):
A wonderful cameo – the home side couldn't get anywhere near him.
Endrick (N/A):
Energetic off the bench.
Dani Ceballos (N/A):
Alleviated some tired legs late on.
Carlo Ancelotti (5/10):
It was always going to be a tricky one, and he took a real risk by not starting Vinicius. It didn't pay off, and Los Blancos never deserved more than a draw.
