Real Madrid will host Rayo Vallecano at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday under mounting pressure from fans following recent inconsistent results.
A 6-1 win over Monaco and a 2-0 victory at Villarreal initially lifted spirits after Xabi Alonso’s departure and a Copa del Rey exit to second-division Albacete. However, a 4-2 defeat at Benfica on Wednesday, highlighted by a stoppage-time goal from goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin, reignited tensions over perceived lack of commitment. The loss also placed Madrid in the Champions League playoff round against Benfica, depriving the squad of two midweeks without matches.
Kylian Mbappe remains a bright spot, scoring 13 goals in the Champions League and 21 in La Liga — nearly half of Madrid’s 45 goals this season — underscoring the need for stronger support in attack.
Madrid will be without central defenders Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger, as well as Trent Alexander-Arnold. Despite these absences, the visitors’ form offers some reassurance.
Rayo Vallecano, coached by Inigo Perez, is struggling to juggle UEFA Conference League and domestic matches, dropping to 16th in La Liga after back-to-back defeats, including a 3-1 home loss to Osasuna sealed by two injury-time goals.