Real Madrid performed a great escape in the Estadio de Vallecas on Saturday afternoon, coming back from a two-goal deficit to defeat Rayo 3-2 and temporarily rise to the top of the Liga table, pending results in the Calderón and Camp Nou later in the day.
The hosts came out of the blocks with gusto and took a deserved lead through Adrián Embarba and by the quarter-hour mark had doubled their advantage when Miku reacted quickest to a loose ball in the area. Real's defence, lacking Sergio Ramos who was on the bench with Manchester City in mind, were completely caught off guard by Rayo's approach. For both Rayo goals the visitors' marking was slapdash and as the rain poured down on Vallecas Real's title hopes seemed destined to be washed away until Gareth Bale rose to meet a Danilo cross and expertly guided a header past Juan Carlos.
Rayo took a one goal advantage into the break and despite the best efforts of Bale, Real's only noteworthy contributor in the first, but it was the introduction of Lucas Vázquez that saw the visitors' attack begin to click into gear. The canterano replaced Karim Benzema, who added to Real's injury concerns ahead of the Champions League clash on Tuesday when he limped off just before half time, and his tireless running caused Rayo some serious problems at the back. Vázquez levelled the match with a towering header and was, with Bale in cahoots, the fulcrum of every dangerous move Real mustered.
Real Madrid performed a great escape in the Estadio de Vallecas on Saturday afternoon, coming back from a two-goal deficit to defeat Rayo 3-2 and temporarily rise to the top of the Liga table, pending results in the Calderón and Camp Nou later in the day.
ReplyDeleteThe hosts came out of the blocks with gusto and took a deserved lead through Adrián Embarba and by the quarter-hour mark had doubled their advantage when Miku reacted quickest to a loose ball in the area. Real's defence, lacking Sergio Ramos who was on the bench with Manchester City in mind, were completely caught off guard by Rayo's approach. For both Rayo goals the visitors' marking was slapdash and as the rain poured down on Vallecas Real's title hopes seemed destined to be washed away until Gareth Bale rose to meet a Danilo cross and expertly guided a header past Juan Carlos.
Rayo took a one goal advantage into the break and despite the best efforts of Bale, Real's only noteworthy contributor in the first, but it was the introduction of Lucas Vázquez that saw the visitors' attack begin to click into gear. The canterano replaced Karim Benzema, who added to Real's injury concerns ahead of the Champions League clash on Tuesday when he limped off just before half time, and his tireless running caused Rayo some serious problems at the back. Vázquez levelled the match with a towering header and was, with Bale in cahoots, the fulcrum of every dangerous move Real mustered.