Real Madrid lost 3-2 on the road to crosstown rivals Rayo Vallecano, which dealt them a setback in the quest for the La Liga’s title, handing the reigning champions their first loss of the season in Spain’s top flight.
Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema was rested as Real Madrid looked to move back atop LaLiga in a feisty game that saw the teams trade goals in the first half and Oscar Trejo net a second-half penalty to give Rayo a massive win at the Estadio de Vallecas in Madrid.
“I wasn’t surprised because we all know how they play, they were better and more precise than us today and it’s a well deserved win for them,” Ancelotti said after the match. “We lost too many challenges. They were overwhelming. It doesn’t matter if you have more quality if your rivals have more intensity than you.
“I think we started the season well but the team has felt the exhausting schedule ahead of the World Cup.”
Barcelona remain two points clear at the top of the league following their victory over Almería on Saturday. Real Madrid suffered their first league defeat of the campaign against Rayo Vallecano and Carlo Ancelotti’s team play their final game before the World Cup break at home to Cádiz on Thursday.
