1-1: A POINT RESCUED AT VALLECAS

In the end it finished level in the Spanish capital on Saturday afternoon after a 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano. Unlike on Monday in Nervión, it was a point that felt a lot better after Nyland made several excellent saves to deny Rayo. And then with Lukebakio on the pitch there is always a chance and so it proved. The Belgian took full advantage of the counterattack with nine minutes remaining to cut inside and curl home a superb equaliser on a day which wasn't our best to maintain our unbeaten run away from home in LALIGA in 2025. 

We got off to a good start, pressing high up the pitch and looking to win the ball back in Rayo's half. One minute in Pedrosa's long-range shot was close to the post and Batalla managed to deflect it away. Rayo hit back and Álvaro García responded with a shot from Embarba's cross that Nyland dealt with very well. Vargas, who was a bright spark throughout, combined well win Pedrosa, who again shot that was defelcted off target. However, the clearest chance of the first half fell to Nteka, who couldn't find a way past Nyland inside the six yard box. The striker would have to come off injury, as did Mumin in an unfortunate first half for Rayo. 

Nyland was the stand out peformer with a number of excellent saves in the second half 

The match became more even as the minutes went by, although we were the better side as the half-time interval loomed. Vargas skipped inside a number of tackles down the left flank but his shot was weak and straight at Batalla. Shortly after, a corner kick by the Swiss winger was headed by Kike Salas, but once again at Batalla. Less than a minute into the second half, Vargas then nearly turned goalscorer as he met Lukebakio's corner but couldn't keep his header down. Nyland, who was the standout performer, then produced a save one-on-one against Trejo. He was however unable to do anything for the Rayo goal when it eventually did come as Ratiu picked his head up on the edge of the box and curled in a delightful goal into the top corner. 

García Pimienta reacted by bringing on Ejuke, Agoumé and Idumbo almost immediately. A quick clearance from Nyland and a ball to the right for Agoumé, Idumbo and Lukebakio, who hit a silky left-footed shot to level the match with nine minutes to go. There was little time left but it was time to keep on chipping as Lejeune hit a long-range effort which Nyland tipped over and onto the crossbar. In added time there was a heart in the mouth moment as Guaradiola failed to get contact on the ball with the goal gaping and Nyland beaten. In the end, it was a valuable point in a match in which Nyland kept the team alive and Lukebakio rescued a point. Next up a week on Sunday is a visit to the Reale Arena to face another demanding game against Real Sociedad.