It was a match that began with intensity. Rayo was the first to strike with a point-blank shot by Raúl Tamudo, although it was superbly saved by Willy Caballero. That was in minute 3, but more strikes were to come, and just six minutes later Botelho took advantage of a corner shot and powerfully headed the ball into the back of the Málaga goal.
With an unfavourable scoreboard, Málaga fought hard to create some clear chances as they looked to equalise; one of these first opportunities was down to Duda, but he was eventually overcome by the Rayista framework. The locals maintained their superiority until minute 15 of the first half. Then, from that moment, Málaga woke up and took control of the ball and little by little took on a game that was looking more in their favour. As Pellegrini’s squad was looking to be at their best moment, an ambitious move between malaguista winger, Eliseu, and Rayo player Lass, ended with the sending off of the Portuguese-born Málaga player. It was minute 36, and the lack of men added to the clash’s difficulties for the Blue and Whites. The manager substituted Duda for Monreal to compensate the defence. With Málaga trying to make the most of the circumstances, the half time whistle blew; and up until this point they’d had only been on reasonable attempt at a goal – that was by Santi Cazorla and it went too high.
In the second half, Málaga came out determined to equalise. But for its part, Rayo Vallecano put on the Málaga-born player, and ex-malaguista, Dani Pacheco to give more bite to the home side’s counter-attack. And it wasn’t long before he bared his teeth as in minute 3 the attempted a clear chance to score, but it was, again, saved by Caballero.
In minute 61, Málaga had their clearest chance of the game. An excellent pass from Jesús Gámez from the right returned the ball to Van Nistelrooy’s area, but as hard as he tried, ball spun across the top of Cobeño’s goal. It was a move that could have changed the game, and which could have balanced out the scores that would have been a big morale boost for the Blue and Whites for the rest of the match. But it wasn’t meant to be, and just ten minutes later the veteran forward, Tamudo, took advantage of a great pass from Trashorras – who had already been showing his skills – and crossed the ball into Willy’s goal, securing 2-0 on the scoreboard.
There were few standout moments in the final stretch of the game, which saw Maresca and Apoño coming onto the pitch; as did Koke, the ex-Malaguista, for Rayo.
Another former Málaga player, Movilla, also had a chance to push Rayo forward in terms of the result, but the attempt on the score didn’t pay off thanks to the Málaga goalkeeper’s skill.
MATCH DETAILS
Lne-ups:
Rayo Vallecano: Cobeño, Tito, Arribas, Figueras, Botelho, Lass (Dani Pacheco), Movilla, Javi Fuego, Piti (Trashorras), Michu and Tamudo.
Málaga CF: Willy, Gámez, Demichelis, Sergio Sánchez, Eliseu, Joaquín, Toulalán (Maresca), Duda (Monreal), Cazorla (Apoño), Seba and Van Nistelrooy.
Árbitro:
Ayza Gámez. Yellow cards for Rayo’s Piti and Figueras; and Málaga’s Toulalan, Joaquín and Jesús Gámez. Eliseu sent off with a red card. (36').
Goals:
1-0: Botelho (6')
2-0: Tamudo (71')
Notes
The 10th game of the BBVA League in the Vallecas Football Ground.