"Real Madrid stumbled on from their midweek Champions League defeat by Liverpool with a frustrating goalless draw at city rivals Rayo Vallecano. Xabi Alonso's side had failed to win for only the second time this season when beaten 1-0 at Anfield on Tuesday night. There were few clear cut chances for the LaLiga leaders at Estadio de Vallecas on Sunday afternoon, with Vinícius Júnior and England midfielder Jude Bellingham both denied by Rayo Vallecano goalkeeper Augusto Batalla."
"After a scrappy start, the home side created the first decent opening in the 21st minute when defender Andrei Ratiu surged forward, but then shot straight at Thibaut Courtois. Real Madrid - with Trent Alexander-Arnold again starting on the bench - almost broke the deadlock in the 22nd minute. Vinicius Junior's hooked effort was pushed away by a fine reaction save from Batalla before Raul Ascencio sent his header wide."
"There were chances for both sides at the start of the second half. Jorge de Frutos stabbed a shot into the side-netting at the near post for the hosts before at the other end, Arda Güler sent a long-range effort wide. Bellingham, recalled to the England squad for the last round of World Cup qualifiers, collected a diagonal ball into the penalty area and tested Batalla with an angled drive."
Real Madrid followed a midweek Champions League defeat by Liverpool with a goalless draw at Rayo Vallecano. The LaLiga leaders created few clear chances and were repeatedly denied by Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla. Rayo produced openings through Andrei Ratiu and Jorge de Frutos, while Real threatened via Vinicius Junior, Arda Güler, Jude Bellingham and Kylian Mbappé. Pedro Díaz exited with a knee issue and was replaced by Pacha Espino. Vallecano defended compactly and remained difficult to break down, preserving a clean sheet and denying Real three points.
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