Rayo Vallecano held the defending champions Atlético Madrid to scoreless draw in the La Liga opener for both sides. Los Colchoneros were ineffective on the attack, looking tired and listless by the end of the match. Rayo were the better side for a majority of the 90 minutes, but couldn’t get past the stingy Atléti defense.
Rayo Vallecano vs. Atlético Madrid: Final score 0-0, No goals to be found
Rayo held the defending champions to scoreless draw at the Campo de Fútbol de Vallecas.
The first half of the match was marked by physical play and poor shooting accuracy. Atléti managed only two shots on target, while Rayo failed to really test Miguel Moya at all. Mario Mandzukic had the best chances on goal with shots in the 26th and 27th minutes, but beyond that, neither team generated much on the offensive front.
The defensive play continued in the second half, at least early on, but as the minutes ticked away both teams seemed more willing to take some risk and chase a goal.
Rayo came ever so close to breaking the scoreless deadlock in the 71st minute when Manucho got a short-range shot off that was blocked by Moya.
As the minutes passed, Rayo took control of the match as Atléti appeared tired and unable to chase and get the ball away from the home side. Perhaps the two Spanish Super Cup matches drained the fitness of the Atléti players, or they simply needed suspended head coach Diego Simeone yelling at them from the touchline.
Rayo Vallecano: Alvarez, Tito, Ba, Quini, Ze Castro, Baena, Trashorras, Bueno, Jonathan (Manucho 55’), Kakuta, Aquino
Goals: None
Atlético Madrid: Moya, Siqueira, Godín, Miranda, Juanfran, Suárez, Gabi, Koke, Griezmann (Rodriguez 84’), Jiménez (Ñíguez 62’), Mandzukic (Hernandez 75’)
Goals: None
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