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Rayo Vallecano Strike Atletico Madrid on a Night of Angry Protests

Rayo Vallecano secured an impressive 3-0 victory over their visitors Atletico Madrid in a match that was anything but ordinary, both technically and in the stands, as the win coincided with a wave of furious protests from the Madrid club’s supporters against owner Raul Martin Presa, in a scene where protest chants were as prominent as the goals.

The goals came through Fran Perez, Oscar Valentin, and Noble Mendy, earning their side three precious points in the battle to avoid relegation. In contrast, Atletico paid the price for the decisions of their coach Diego Simeone, who chose to rest a large number of his key players in order to focus on the upcoming European clash against Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League.

Simeone relied on a largely rotated lineup, which was reflected in a disjointed performance, as his team appeared fragmented and unable to match Rayo’s intensity. The defeat came only days after Atletico’s emphatic 4-0 win over Barcelona in the Copa del Rey, highlighting the clear contrast between the two performances.

For Rayo, the victory was more than just a positive result; it served as a massive morale boost in their fight to stay up. The team now sits 16th with 25 points, narrowly ahead of direct rivals such as Mallorca and Valencia, while Atletico remain fourth with 45 points, trailing leaders Barcelona.

The match was played under exceptional circumstances at Butarque Stadium, the home of Leganes, after La Liga deemed the pitch at Vallecas unfit to host the game. The decision reduced attendance, as ticket sales were banned for security reasons and entry was limited to season ticket holders, amid calls from the “Los Bukaneros” group to boycott the match.

Although only a few thousand spectators were present, their voices were loud and clear, turning the stands into a platform of protest against Presa. Instead of celebrating the goals, supporters repeatedly chanted for his departure. The anger was not sudden, but the result of long-standing tensions related to the club’s management, particularly after public criticism from players and staff regarding what they described as unacceptable conditions, including poor pitch quality and even issues with basic facilities.

The crisis escalated recently after a previous Rayo match was postponed due to the poor state of the pitch and heavy rainfall, further fueling supporters’ frustration and intensifying the open confrontation with the board. Despite this, the club maintained silence, limiting their response to publishing official league statements without further clarification.

From a footballing perspective, Rayo entered the game with clear intent and imposed their tempo from the outset. The opening goal came five minutes before halftime, when Perez capitalized on defensive confusion to slot home from close range. Minutes later, goalkeeper Jan Oblak saved a powerful effort, but the rebound fell kindly to Valentin, who made no mistake in converting.

In the second half, Rayo continued to dominate, taking advantage of Atletico’s evident drop in performance. From a corner kick, Mendy rose above everyone to head the ball into the net, sealing the third goal and delivering a decisive blow to the visitors.

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