rayo vallecano - atlético madrid: Rayo dominate 3-0 at Butarque in statement win
Rayo Vallecano delivered a stirring performance to beat Atlético Madrid 3-0 at Butarque in the 24th round of LaLiga EA Sports, with goals from Fran Pérez, Óscar Valentín and Nobel Mendy. The victory brought joy on the pitch but exposed tensions off it, as the sparse crowd at the Leganés venue voiced sharp criticism of the Rayo hierarchy.
Rayo clinical, Atleti flat
The match unfolded decisively in Rayo's favour. Fran Pérez opened the scoring with a superb strike set up by an excellent run and final pass from Rațiu, a move that encapsulated Rayo's attacking ambition. Later efforts from Óscar Valentín and Nobel Mendy secured a clean sheet and a comprehensive win that rarely looked in doubt. Defensively and in transition, Rayo were efficient and punished Atlético for lapses in concentration.
For Atlético, the scoreline was an uncomfortable reflection of a game they could not control. Key players were rotated or reintroduced, with some positives—Nico González produced a solid shift and Molina showed promise—but the collective performance lacked the cohesion required to overturn Rayo's dominance. The visitors were unable to convert possession into clear chances and paid the price when Rayo were sharper in both boxes.
Aftermath: comments, questions and a divided dressing room
Goalkeeper Jan Oblak's blunt post-match assessment that the league felt 'thrown away' drew immediate reaction. Coach Diego Simeone dismissed that take, stating he did not share the goalkeeper's view and insisted the team had offered everything it could. Simeone highlighted the positives from recent arrivals to the squad and emphasised the need to focus quickly on upcoming Champions League commitments, noting that the players must approach every match as if it were their last.
The loss marks a worrying sequence for Atlético in the domestic campaign, with questions mounting after a run of inconsistent results. Simeone nonetheless stressed the team showed signs of life in certain individual displays and took comfort in minutes gained by recent signings, while urging a reset ahead of midweek continental duties.
Butarque emptiness and fan unrest overshadow victory
Despite the on-field celebration, the atmosphere at Butarque was subdued and at times hostile. Rayo were playing away from their home ground, and the stadium felt desolate well before kickoff; only a fraction of the venue was occupied even though several thousand tickets had reportedly been distributed. Frustration among the travelling support boiled over into chants directed at the club president, with the repeated cry of 'Presa vete ya' echoing across the stands.
Players acknowledged the importance of the win for their fight to escape the relegation zone and welcomed the clean sheet, while also recognising the protests from a fanbase that feels aggrieved by events off the pitch. Club officials had exchanged communications with supporters ahead of the match and players urged calm, but the vocal dissatisfaction made clear that the result alone will not soothe deeper concerns.
Rayo's three points represent a crucial morale boost and a chance to build momentum, yet the broader picture remains complicated. Atlético must regroup quickly and address the issues exposed by a team fighting for survival, while Rayo will hope this victory helps catalyse a climb away from danger as the season enters its crucial phase.
