Sunday's opening La Liga clash pitted Rayo Vallecano against Sevilla in the Spanish capital.
A fairly drab first period failed to produce a shot on target, although Sevilla had two goals chalked off for offside.
The away side eventually took the lead just before the hour mark through Coke, with that strike enough to secure all the points.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Morning all! Our La Liga coverage for the day opens from Madrid as Rayo Vallecano welcome Sevilla. The home side have won just one of their last five in the league, with that run of form leaving them in 19th spot in the table. Sevilla's already outside hopes of a Champions League spot, meanwhile, have faded following a poor run of form.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Sevilla have won three of the last five, with Rayo winning once and the further fixture – the corresponding match last season - finishing in a goalless draw. The pair have already met at the Estadio Ramon this season, with Sevilla winning 4-1 last September.
TEAMS:
RAYO: Ruben; Rat, Ze Castro, Saul, Tito; Trashorras, Baena; Bueno, Falque, Viera; Lass
SEVILLA: Beto; Coke, Fazio, Pareja, Navarro; Carrico, Iborra; Moreno, Rakitic, Jairo; Bacca
So there we have it. No Ruben Rochina or Jonathan Larrivey in the Rayo XI this afternoon, but Jonathan Viera, Iago Falque and Alberto Bueno are all selected. Sevilla, meanwhile, recall Carlos Bacca, with Kevin Gameiro dropping to the bench. There is also a start for Spanish attacker Jairo Samperio.
It has been a difficult season for Rayo, with Paco Jemez's side currently 19th in the table and five points from safety. They are without question one of the most exciting teams to watch in the division, but their defensive issues threaten to end their stay in La Liga. That said, three points this afternoon would give them renewed hope.
Rayo's home form this season has been extremely disappointing. They have won the joint-fewest games (three) at home in La Liga and lost the most (eight). The fact that there has not been a draw in this stadium this season is an indication of the type of football they play. You get everything or nothing from the capital outfit.
Conceding goals has been a problem for Rayo this season with 58 in their 24 matches, which is quite comfortably the worst record in the league. Sevilla, meanwhile, have not fared much better with 41 against. Down the other end, Rayo have netted 25 times to Sevilla's 42.
Sevilla enter the match off the back of a 2-2 draw with Maribor in the first leg of their last-32 Europa League clash on Thursday, but they face a fight to secure another European finish in La Liga this time around having lost three of their last four games. An eight-match unbeaten run at the turn of the year aided their chances, but they have struggled over the last month.
Sevilla's away form compared to previous seasons has been fairly solid with three wins and just four defeats from their 12 matches, but the bulk of their points have come on their own patch, where they have won five times. If they are to finish in the top seven this season, these are the type of matches that they need to win.
PREDICTION: One thing is for certain this afternoon, Rayo will have a go at Sevilla. That should suit the away side, who are one of the best counter-attacking teams in the league. I am expecting goals, but I think that Sevilla have enough about them to pick up all the points. My score prediction is 2-1 Sevilla.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the first period. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Let's hope for an entertaining fixture in the Spanish capital. The home side get the action underway as morning becomes afternoon in Spain.
Just short of a full house inside the stadium this afternoon, but there is a wonderful atmosphere. It must also be said that the pitch is in terrific condition for this stage of the season. Perfect conditions for a game of football. Bright start from Sevilla as Rakitic delivers a free kick into the Rayo box, but Saul is on hand to clear.
Half-chance for Sevilla as Bacca meets a cross from Jairo, but his weak header is straight into the arms of Ruben. Rayo break down the other end with Lass, but the pacey forward cannot drive past Pareja. End-to-end opening four minutes in the Spanish capital.
Sevilla have just started to put an extended period of pressure on the home side with a free kick and two corners in quick succession. The second corner presents a half-chance to Rakitic at the near post, but the Croatian lifts his header over the crossbar. Not too much from the home side as an attacking threat thus far.
The end-to-end period of the match continues as Rakitic combines with Bacca inside the Rayo box before delivering towards the near post, but Tito is across to clear. The home side are down the other end moments later, but Bueno cannot meet a through pass from Trashorras.
Bueno attempts the spectacular as the ball falls for the Rayo forward inside the box, but his bicycle kick is high and wide of the crossbar. No real chances for either side thus far, but plenty to be positive about as the play continues to flow from end-to-end in the Spanish capital.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments due to a number of late challenges, but he has not looked to his pocket thus far. Plenty of football being played in the middle of the park, but the attacking threat from both sides has just dried up in the last couple of minutes.
Alberto Moreno demonstrates his pace by moving past two Rayo defenders down the right, but Ze Castro comes across to quell the danger at the vital moment. The home side break with Tito moments later, but his cross is blocked by Pareja. Still goalless with 15 minutes on the clock in Madrid.
Stop-start period of the match in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of committing a number of late challenges. Rayo continue to offer a threat in the final third with their pace and movement, but they have been unable to find the final ball in the early stages on their own patch.
No real goal-scoring opportunities to report in the opening 19 minutes as the two sides continue to exchange periods of possession. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital in this type of contest.
The free-kick count continues to rise with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. Rayo have the chance to deliver into the Sevilla box through Trashorras, but Fazio rises to clear under pressure from Baena, who had come forward from a defensive position.
Half-chance for the home side as Tito finds some space in a wide position before delivering a wicked cross into the box, but Beto manages to palm clear at the vital moment. Not too much in terms of an attacking threat from Sevilla with 24 minutes on the clock. Still goalless as Fazio is booked for a late challenge on Falque.
Sevilla threaten with two corners in quick succession, but Ze Castro and Rat take it in turns to clear the danger. That has been the story of the first period thus far - plenty of attacking intent from both sides, but no real quality.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Sevilla have the ball in the back of the net as Bacca turns home from inside the box, but the whistle had already been blown after Iborra challenged Ruben. Rayo are down the other end moments later, but Fazio clears a deep cross from Baena.
Another half-chance for the away side as Pareja collects a loose ball outside the box, but his low effort moves wide of the post. Not too much for the home supporters to get excited about, however, as each attack continues to break down in the final third. Little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
Possession football from Rayo in the last few moments with the likes of Trashorras and Baena seeing plenty of the ball in the middle of the park. The latter releases Lass, who drives past Pareja, but the Sevilla defender brings the forward to the ground.
The resulting free kick is delivered by Trashorras, but Tito is penalised for handball inside the Sevilla box. Still no clear opportunity to speak of in the opening 35 minutes between two well-matched teams.
Lass takes matters into his own hands as the Rayo forward finds some space outside the box, but his effort is wide of the post. Sevilla are down the other end with Rakitic moments later, but his cross is straight into the arms of Ruben. Moments later, Iborra is booked for a poor challenge on Baena.
GOAL DISALLOWED! Sevilla have another goal chalked off for offside after Carrico had moved into an offside position before converting a Fazio cross from close range. Twice Sevilla have had the ball in the back of the net, but still the score remains goalless.
The referee has been more involved than he would have liked in the last couple of moments due to a number of late challenges, which sums up the first period. Neither side as created a meaningful chance in the first 43 minutes, which is disappointing when taking into account the number of attacking players on the pitch.
HALF TIME: Rayo 0-0 Sevilla
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. In truth, it has been far from a classic with chances few and far between. Sevilla have perhaps looked the most likely, but it has been a drab 45 minutes in the Spanish capital.
STATISTICS: The home side have utterly dominated the possession with 74%, but they have had just three attempts to Sevilla's four. The fact that neither side has registered a single attempt on target is an indication of the first period.
BENCH WATCH: Rayo have a number of attacking options on their bench this afternoon in the shape of Adrian, Longo, Ruben Rochina and Larrivey. Meanwhile, Sevilla have the likes of Marko Marin, Cristoforo, Gameiro and Jose Antonio Reyes in reserve. There are certainly goals in that list of players.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - could be vital in this type of match. Right, the away side get the second 45 minutes underway.
No changes for either side at the interval, which is not much of a surprise at this stage of proceedings. However, I suspect that alterations will occur if the score remains level for the next 20 minutes or so. Bright start to the half from Rayo as Lass curls one towards the top corner, but it moves high and wide of the crossbar.
Lass remains the main threat for the home side as the pacey forward comes close to meeting a through pass from Falque, but it just skips off the turf at the final moment. Rakitic delivers a free kick into the Rayo box moments later, but Ruben claims under pressure from Bacca.
Wonderful atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment as the home supporters continue to make their voices known, but matters on the field remain fairly drab. It is the type of match where one goal could be enough to claim all the points.
CHANCE! The first real chance of the entire match arrives to Sevilla as Rakitic combines with Bacca before attempting to slide his effort into the bottom corner, but Ruben is on hand to make a fine save. Let's hope that is a sign of things to come.
CHANCE! Opportunities are starting to arrive and this time the chance comes for the home side as Falque finds Viera inside the Sevilla box, but the on-loan Valencia attacker can only fire his effort high and wide of the crossbar. Moments later, Rayo make a double change with Larrivey and Adrian replacing Baena and Bueno.
GOAL! Rayo 0-1 Sevilla (Coke)
Finally the deadlock is broken and it is Sevilla that take the lead as Coke heads a Rakitic cross into the back of the net from close range.
A goal had been coming there is no question about that. Not too much occurred in the first period, but the second half has been of a higher intensity. Sevilla break forward once more with Moreno, but the Spaniard is felled by Trashorras.
End-to-end football in the last couple of moments with both sides committing numbers in the final third. If Rayo are to remain in La Liga this season, these are the type of matches where they need to pick up points. Little under 30 minutes of this Spanish contest remaining.
Possession football from Rayo in the last couple of moments as they keep hold of the ball in their own half, but they are not really threatening. Just a reminder that Paco Jemez has made two changes thus far, while Sevilla boss Unai Emery is yet to look to his bench with 64 minutes on the clock.
The free-kick count continues to rise as Saul fells Sevilla skipper Rakitic just outside the box. The Croatian delivers the resulting set piece into the box, but Tito is on hand to clear. Still 1-0 Sevilla with 66 minutes on the clock.
Rayo make their third and final change and it is another attacking move as Longo replaces Rat. It is all or nothing for Rayo in the latter stages. That should allow Sevilla the opportunity to break. I would be surprised if we had seen the last of the goals with little over 20 minutes of football still to play.
Sevilla look to their bench for the first time this afternoon as Diogo enters the field in place of Jairo, who has struggled to really influence proceedings. Little under 20 minutes of football remaining in the Spanish capital.
For the first time this afternoon the atmosphere has been quietened with the supporters almost waiting for something to happen. A brilliant run from Lass causes problems inside the Sevilla box, but his cross is straight into the arms of Beto. Lass has looked the most likely for the home side.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for the home side as Longo reacts first to a loose ball inside the box, but his flicked header is straight into the arms of Beto, who immediately releases Moreno on the counter attack down the other end.
CHANCE! Rakitic comes close to making it 2-0 as the Croatian meets a cross from Diogo, but somehow the away side's skipper fires wide from close range. The chances are arriving with little over 10 minutes of football remaining.
Sevilla make their second change of the match with little over 10 minutes remaining as Gameiro enters the field for Bacca, who has had a quiet match this afternoon. You just get the feeling that there is another goal in this match as space continues to open up.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Rayo as Larrivey finds some space in a crowded box before turning and striking towards the top corner, but it just moves wide of the post. Rayo are getting closer with 82 minutes on the clock.
RED CARD! Iborra (Sevilla)
Sevilla are reduced to 10 men in incredible circumstances as Iborra is handed a second yellow card for timewasting. That is a big boost for Rayo with a fair chunk of injury time also expected.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of minutes, but Rayo remain in control of the possession. Lass finds some space down the right before delivering towards Larrivey, but Beto is out to collect once more. Time is not on Rayo's side at the moment.
Not too much of an atmosphere inside the stadium at the moment with the home supporters almost waiting for something to happen. Rayo are on the front foot, but they are not really testing Beto in the Sevilla goal.
Larrivey is again the target from a Lass cross, but his header is straight at Beto. The fourth official indicates that we will play an additional four minutes and we are indeed into the first of those.
CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Sevilla to make sure of the points as Gameiro finds himself just outside the Rayo box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Moments later, Sevilla make their third and final change with Trochowski replacing Rakitic.
FULL TIME: Rayo 0-1 Sevilla
So there we have it. Sevilla collect all three points courtesy of Coke's second-half header. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us again later for more La Liga football. Until then!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
