Valencia travelled to Rayo Vallecano on Thursday needing a point to return to the top four in La Liga.
The hosts took the lead in the 19th minute when Adri Embarba found the back of the net from outside the box.
Rayo were reduced to 10 men in the 62nd minute, however, when Jorge Morcillo was sent off for a last-man challenge on Andre Gomes and from the resulting free kick, Dani Parejo levelled the scores.
Valencia were also reduced to 10 men in the 77th minute when Rodrigo kicked out at Tono, but that was where the major action ended as the points were shared.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Sports Mole's live La Liga coverage continues from the Spanish capital as always-entertaining Rayo Vallecano welcome top-four hopefuls Valencia. These two sides have already met three times this season and those fixtures have thrown up 14 goals – more of the same tonight please.
First and foremost, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Madrid.
TEAMS:
RAYO: Tono; Tito, Ze Castro, Morcillo, Nacho; Trashorras, Fatau; Kakuta, Bueno, Embarba; Manucho
VALENCIA: Alves; Barragan, Mustafi, Otamendi, Gaya; Perez, Parejo, Gomes; Rodrigo, Negredo, Piatti
So there we have it. Rayo are still without the services of injured trio Leo Baptistao, Raul Baena and Antonio Amaya, but Paco Jemez has no fresh injury concerns. It is once again an attacking XI, with leading scorer Alberto Bueno joining Manucho, Adri Embarba and Gael Kakuta in the final third.
Valencia, meanwhile, welcome back Argentine midfielder Enzo Perez, who is fit to return from injury. Pablo Piatti has also been declared available, while Alvaro Negredo starts as the central striker ahead of Paco Alcacer. Sofiane Feghouli also drops to the bench, with Rodrigo preferred in a wide position.
As touched upon, these two teams have already met three times this season. Valencia were 3-0 winners in the reverse league game, while Los Che advanced from their Copa del Rey two-legged affair with an aggregate score of 6-5. The second leg at the Mestalla produced an incredible 4-4 draw.
Rayo have been inconsistent of late, but they have won five of their last six home league games, with that run of form seeing them move to within the cusp of the top half. As it stands, they are 11th in the table, but all three points this evening would see them move above Espanyol into 10th position.
It has been a tough run of fixtures for Rayo, who have faced Real Madrid and Sevilla in two of their last four league games, while they were thumped 6-1 at Celta Vigo on April 11. They beat struggling Almeria 2-0 in their last home game, however, and will certainly have their eye on a top-half finish. At this point, they are 11 points clear of the relegation zone, which is very impressive for a club of its size.
Valencia, meanwhile, who lost 1-0 on their trip to Rayo in the league last season, are facing a serious battle to finish in the top four. Los Che have only lost one of their last 12 in the league, but Sevilla's win at Eibar on Wednesday has dropped Nuno's side into fifth. That said, victory in the capital this evening would see them regain fourth and move four points behind third-place Atletico Madrid.
Valencia thumped Granada 4-0 at the Mestalla on Monday and their home form has been very strong this season – winning 14 of their 17 league games and losing just once. They have dropped points in 10 of their 16 away games, however, which will be a concern for Nuno at this stage of the season.
PREDICTION! I have a feeling that this could be a very tricky game for Valencia. When Rayo are hot, they are very hot, but it also works the opposite way. Valencia are in need of the points more than the hosts, however, and I just think that they will edge through. Score prediction: Rayo 1-2 Valencia.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. Not quite a full house inside the stadium, but there is a super atmosphere. The away side get the first half underway.
Valencia are immediately on the front foot as Gomes has a half-chance when he finds all sorts of space inside the Rayo box, but the Portuguese turns and loses possession. Positive start from Los Che.
The early signs are that we will have an entertaining game in Madrid. Valencia are looking the most threatening early on, but Rayo have already had one explosive counter attack just break down.
CHANCE! Valencia again threaten as a wonderful passing move ends with Rodrigo trying his luck from outside the box, but his effort is high of the crossbar. Super build-up from the visitors!
It must be said that it is a beautiful evening in the Spanish capital and those inside the stadium will be encouraged with what they have seen thus far. Rayo are just starting to enjoy a period of possession.
Rayo are in control of the possession at the moment, with their passing football starting from the back. The home side have also looked for a couple of long balls, meanwhile, with Manucho the target.
CHANCES! Valencia have a couple of excellent chances in quick succession, but Parejo's low strike is saved by Tono, before Gomes has one deflected just over the crossbar. Good movement there!
Another half-chance for Valencia as Gaya stands a beautiful cross towards Rodrigo, who heads into the path of Negredo, but the Spaniard cannot make contact. Good grief Rayo are open defensively!
Morcillo is forced to head behind his own crossbar as Valencia attack down the right once again. It does appear only a matter of time before Los Che make the breakthrough in the Spanish capital.
Half-chance for the home side this time as Kakuta spins outside the Valencia box before hitting one on the volley, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. Still goalless with 15 minutes played.
SAVE! Another wonderful chance for Valencia as Rodrigo cuts inside two defenders before firing one towards goal, but Tono is down to make a very smart save. Should have been the first goal!
CHANCE! Super chance for Rayo this time as Embarba delivers a stunning cross towards Bueno, but the striker just cannot make contact and Valencia survive. Any touch would have sufficed!
GOAL! Rayo 1-0 Valencia (Embarba)
Oh my good grief - it is a stinker from Valencia goalkeeper Alves. Embarba tries his luck from outside the box, but it appeared a routine save for the Brazilian. That was not the case as the ball slipped through the palms of the goalkeeper. It is a terrible mistake and Alves can only apologise to his team!
Valencia will still fancy their chances of getting on the scoresheet this evening, but it is the home side in possession and now full of confidence. This has been a cracking opening 22 minutes in Madrid.
It has been a little scrappy in the last couple of moments, with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. Valencia really need to find a quick response in this one.
It just isn't happening for Valencia in the final third at the moment. They started very well and had a couple of excellent chances, but Rayo have grown into the game and now have a lead to defend. That said, Rayo are not the type of team to defend a lead - they will want another four goals first!
Just a reminder that a point would be enough to move Valencia back into the top four, but they have plenty of work to do this evening if that is to occur. It has become a little scrappy at the Vallecas.
5 - Negredo's five league goals this season have come after the 70th minute, three of them as a substitute. Revulsive
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) April 30, 2015
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, but it has been a frustrating spell for Valencia, with Rayo in control of the possession. Little over 10 minutes of the first period to play.
Rayo have a penalty shout as the ball appears to strike the arm of Barragan, but the referee is not interested. Moments later, Mustafi does down and it does not look great for the Valencia defender.
It has all gone a little quiet in the stands and indeed on the field as both teams continue to relinquish possession in the final third. You just get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital. A second for the home side would place Valencia in an extremely uncomfortable position.
Half-chance for the home side as Bueno combines with Manucho outside the Valencia box, but the former's effort is straight into the arms of Alves. Valencia break, but Morcillo challenges Negredo.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Valencia to level as Rodrigo stays onside before rolling a low cross into Negredo, but the striker gets it all wrong and it bundles behind for a goal kick!
CHANCE! It is another excellent chance for Valencia as Rodrigo again sets up Negredo inside the box, but once again, the Spaniard misses the ball! What is happening in Madrid!
Valencia have a free kick just outside the box as Embarba brings Barragan to the ground...
... Piatti strikes the resulting set piece straight into the wall. Very disappointing.
Piatti has an attempt on goal, but it is a comfortable save for Tono. Still 1-0 to the hosts.
HALF-TIME: Rayo 1-0 Valencia
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with Rayo leading 1-0 courtesy of a long-range effort from Embarba, which somehow moved through the fingertips of Alves. Valencia have had a number of chances to respond, but Negredo in particular has been guilty of missed chances.
STATS! Rayo have just shaded the possession with 54%, while they have had five attempts - two of which have been on target. Valencia, meanwhile, have hit the target with three of their six attempts. Surprisingly, there has not been a single booking despite some tasty challenges in Madrid.
BENCH WATCH! Rayo boss Paco Jemez has plenty of attacking options on his bench this evening, with the likes of Aquino, Miku and Pozuelo all in reserve. Valencia, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Rodrigo de Paul, Sofiane Feghouli and Paco Jemez. Will we see any changes at the break?
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. Can Valencia find a route back into this match? It will be difficult! The hosts get the second 45 minutes underway.
SUB! One change for Valencia at the break with Feghouli replacing Piatti.
If Valencia can level this at 1-1, then you would have to fancy them to go on and claim all the points. However, Rayo are always worth a goal and will be given extra space as the game opens up.
Negredo again tries his luck from outside the Rayo box, but again it is poor from the Spaniard.
Not too much to report in terms of clear chances in the early moments of this second period, but Rayo are very comfortable in possession of the ball. Are Valencia's away struggles going to continue here?
Manucho remains a threat for the home side as he meets a cross from the left, but the striker was offside and had just missed the target. Mustafi is again down for Valencia and it looks a sore one.
SUB! Rayo make their first change as Nacho is replaced by Insua.
In truth, not too much is happening at the moment in terms of chances, with neither creating much in the final third. The onus is on Valencia to come out and turn this game around in the capital.
Rayo break down the left as Insua drives past two midfielders before finding Embarba, but the attacker's cross is far too strong for Manucho. Not much quality in the game at the moment.
POST! Valencia come close to levelling as Parejo hammers one towards the bottom corner from outside the box, but it hits the post before hitting Tono and dropping behind. Wow!
Little under 30 minutes remaining in Madrid and as it stands, Valencia will not be returning to fourth position in the table. However, you just get the feeling that there are more goals in this one.
RED CARD! MORCILLO!
Rayo are down to 10 men as Morcillo brings Gomes, who was through on goal, to the ground. It is a very straight-forward decision for me, but the home side are not taking it lightly in Madrid!
BOOKING! Tono (Rayo) is booked for arguing the decision.
Rayo are not happy that the play was allowed to continue when Negredo appeared to block the run of a defender, which allowed Gomes to drive through on goal. It is just outside the box...
... GOAL! Rayo 1-1 Valencia (Parejo)
It is an absolute stunner from Parejo as the Valencia skipper rattles his free kick straight in the top corner. Wonderful from the Spaniard and Valencia are very much in the driving seat now!
SUB! Rayo make their second change as Bueno is replaced by Quini.
I suspect that we have not seen the last of the bookings in this game. Rayo feel that they have been robbed here and they might have a case in relation to what occurred in the build-up to that red.
SUB! Valencia make their second change as Mustafi is replaced by Alcacer.
The home supporters are not best pleased with the referee at the moment as Manucho is penalised for a foul on Feghouli. Moments later, Gomes has a shooting chance outside the box, but his effort was always moving wide of the post. The referee is under pressure as the challenges continue to arrive!
SENT OFF! JEMEZ! Rayo boss Jemez has been sent to the stands!
Jemez was on the pitch at one point - wow! Rayo really need to settle here!
SAVE! Wonderful chance for the home side to regain the lead as Kakuta spins inside the box before firing one towards the top corner, but Alves flies across his goal to make the save!
BOOKING! Rayo have a free kick just outside the box as Fatau is felled by Feghouli (Valencia), who is booked. Fatau quickly rises to his feet and lets Feghouli know that he is not best pleased!
CLOSE! The resulting free kick is taken by Trashorras, but his effort is just wide of the post.
You just get the feeling that there is a winner in this game, but Rayo, who are down to 10 men, are giving as good as they are getting down the other end. What a conclusion we could have here.
RED CARD! RODRIGO!
Valencia are now reduced to 10 men as Rodrigo kicks out at Tono, who had seemed to land on the head of the Valencia attacker. This has all got very, very silly and it is a shame for the match.
BOOKING! Fatau (Rayo) is booked for a late challenge on Gomes.
You just get the feeling that there is going to be a winning goal in this game and it might just bring about a small riot. This is threatening to boil over every single time that a slight challenge is made.
SUB! Valencia make their third change as De Paul replaces Gomes.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the away side as De Paul floats a cross onto the head of Feghouli, but his powerful effort is kept out by Tono. Valencia are really forcing the issue now.
A point would be enough to move Valencia back above Sevilla into fourth, but they would have ear-marked this game as one to claim all three points. That still might be the case here...
... SUB! Rayo make their third change as Embarba is replaced by Aquino.
Half-chance for Valencia as Alcacer meets a loose ball inside the box, but his effort is blocked and Rayo manage to scramble clear. I suspect we could have a large chunk of added time here.
The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional four minutes.
Valencia deliver another free kick into the Rayo box, but Negredo heads high of the crossbar and the home side restart the game with a goal kick. There is still time for a late winner in the capital.
CHANCE! Oh my word what a chance! It is a stunning opportunity for Valencia as Parejo slides in Alcacer, but the Spaniard fires high and wide from a tight angle. Horror from the striker!
Rayo threaten down the other end from a dangerous corner, but Valencia scrambles clear, before Trashorras curls one into the arms of Alves. That should be just about that for this game.
FULL-TIME: Rayo 1-1 Valencia
The referee brings the second period to a close with the points shared in a 1-1 draw. It is enough to move Valencia back into fourth, but Rayo, who remain in 11th position, have upset Los Che's Champions League challenge this evening. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
