Real Madrid's La Liga Battle at Vallecas

All set for another Liga game. Real Madrid, coming off two impressive away wins against Girona and Atalanta, aimed to maintain their momentum against Rayo Vallecano. This match held significant importance, as a victory could propel them to the top of La Liga, especially with league leaders Barcelona playing the following day. However, Los Blancos have a history of inconsistency and a particularly poor record at Rayo's home ground, the Estadio de Vallecas.

The Match: A Rollercoaster Ride

Real Madrid’s starting lineup featured Courtois, Vazquez, Tchouameni, Rüdiger, Fran García, Valverde, Güler, Modric, Bellingham, Rodrygo, and Brahim. Rayo Vallecano's lineup, while not fully confirmed before the match, included players like Batalla, Ratiu, Lejeune, Mumin, Chavarria, Ciss, Valentin, De Frutos, Palazon, Garcia, and Nteka. The match, played on December 14th, 2024, at 9 p.m. CET, was a high-stakes encounter from the outset.

Mbappe's Absence and Ancelotti's Adjustments

The absence of Kylian Mbappé, sidelined with a thigh injury, forced Ancelotti to make significant changes to his attack. While both Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo were back from injury, Ancelotti opted for a surprising 4-4-2 formation, pairing Güler with Rodrygo upfront. In midfield, the experienced trio of Bellingham, Valverde, and Modric were joined by Brahim Diaz. Ancelotti remained confident in his team's ability and insisted that Mbappé's injury was not serious, indicating the player may still feature in the Intercontinental Cup final, commenting that "Mbappe isn’t anything very serious. He won’t be there for the match [tomorrow], [but] he’ll travel to Qatar and see if he can play part of the [Intercontinental Cup] without risk."

Defensive Lapses and a Thrilling Back-and-Forth

Despite Real Madrid's attacking prowess and individual brilliance – with Bellingham scoring his fifth goal in as many games for example – defensive lapses proved costly. Rayo Vallecano, with their characteristic intensity, stunned Real Madrid early, scoring two headed goals in the first half. These goals exposed Real Madrid's vulnerability to crosses. However, Real Madrid responded with goals from Valverde and Bellingham, showcasing their resilience and attacking quality. The second half continued the thrilling back-and-forth pattern, with Rodrygo putting Real Madrid ahead before Rayo's Palazon equalized, creating a tense final stage. The final score was a 3-3 draw.

Ancelotti's Post-Match Reflections

Despite the dropped points, Ancelotti expressed satisfaction with his team's performance, acknowledging that defensive errors cost them the win. He pointed to the team's reaction to adversity, highlighting their ability to fight back from a two-goal deficit and their overall positive direction despite their current difficulties. He looked to the positive of their game in hand, reminding the press of last season, where even when the team didn't win in Vallecas, they still managed to win the league. His remarks suggested a focus on the team's ability to recover and maintain a winning trajectory.

The Bigger Picture: La Liga Title Race and Beyond

The draw leaves Real Madrid in second place, one point behind Barcelona, but with a game in hand. The opportunity to leapfrog Barcelona presented itself as the next game for the Catalan giants was on the day after this one; this did not happen however. The match showcased the complexities of the La Liga title race, with every game possessing immense significance. Beyond La Liga, Real Madrid has the Intercontinental Cup final on the horizon which is the next big target for them. This, after their successful Champions League campaign which now allows them to focus their energy on other trophies.

Looking Ahead: The Road to Redemption

Real Madrid's performance against Rayo Vallecano was a reminder that even the most formidable teams can be vulnerable. The team's defensive frailties must be addressed if they are to maintain their title aspirations in La Liga. The upcoming fixtures present both challenges and opportunities, providing a chance to build on their attacking strengths and improve the areas of weaknesses in their play to fully get their campaign back on track.

The draw highlights the competitiveness of La Liga and underlines the importance of consistency throughout the season. While the result was disappointing, Real Madrid's long-term prospects remain strong, with a talented squad capable of challenging for major honors on all fronts. Their next game, the Intercontinental Cup final, is a huge test and opportunity to showcase their abilities. With a game against Sevilla to come afterwards as well, there are many opportunities for the team to put their misfortunes in the Rayo Vallecano game behind them.