Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said there was “no drama” despite his team failing to build on their Clasico triumph, dropping two points in La Liga’s title race with a 0-0 derby draw against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday.
Los Blancos spurned several chances as they drove Rayo back throughout at the Santiago Bernabeu but could not find the last-gasp winner they so often manage to produce. The draw leaves Madrid second, two points behind shock leaders Girona, who came from behind to beat Osasuna, and two ahead of Barcelona after the Catalans’ fortunate win over Real Sociedad on Saturday.
“In the table we are doing very well, we’re in the fight, we’re doing very well in the Champions League – there is no drama,” Ancelotti told reporters. “We’re confident, we will do things well, like we always do, like we did today.” The Italian said the result was not fair on his team, who could not find the goal they craved.
“We’re hurt by the result, not the performance, clearly it was a game we deserved to win,” added Ancelotti. “We tried in every way, and it didn’t come off, we tried until the last second.” Ancelotti lined up with the energetic Eduardo Camavinga replacing injured holding midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, as well as starting Luka Modric in place of Toni Kroos.
Real Madrid took the game to their neighbours from the off, with Rayo Vallecano’s Macedonian goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski kept extremely busy. He made a superb save to thwart Fede Valverde who burst through on goal early on. Madrid had an early scare when Jude Bellingham, the league’s top goalscorer with 10 strikes, went down hurt, holding his left shoulder.
After a couple of minutes the England international recovered and was able to stay on. “Bellingham has a problem with his shoulder but was able to continue … I don’t think it will be anything serious,” said Ancelotti. Fran Garcia flashed an effort narrowly over after good work by Bellingham to play him in and Dimitrievski made a fantastic save to deny Joselu after Vinicius Junior cut the ball back to him. The Brazilian winger was increasingly involved as the game ticked towards its final stages and struck in the 66th minute, but the goal was ruled out for offside against Joselu.