La Liga: Rayo 2 – 1 Atlético

Lass celebrates his goal (AS)

Atlético Madrid’s woes away from the Vicente Calderón continued as the team again failed to pick up any points on the road.

Even a short trip to the Estadio de Vallecas was too far from home for Simeone’s men, who lost 2-1 against city rivals Rayo Vallecano.

The goals were scored by Lass Bangoura, who reportedly was a transfer target for the Rojiblancos last season, and his teammate Leo Baptistão, who is said to be making his way across town to the Calderón next summer.

Radamel Falcao’s goal was scored after the added time of the second half had already expired, obviously coming too late for Atleti to salvage a point.

It only took Rayo a few minutes to get on the scoresheet. Just over two minutes had been played when Casado and Piti combined on the left and the captain’s low cross reached Lass Bangoura, who had so much space that he could even afford to slip and still finish off the play.

Atleti’s defence was caught napping on several occasions and seemed to lack focus. Players like Miranda and Filipe were possibly underestimating Rayo after featuring for the Seleçao in midweek, while Cata Díaz showed to have lost a step. Our backline again responded poorly when in the 33rd minute a cross from the left was kept inbounds by Lass, whose cross from the right was tapped in by Leo Baptistão at the near post with four Atleti players watching.

The lack of concentration was best illustrated when late in the game Juanfran picked up the ball for a throw in with the ball still in play, thus conceding a free kick.

On the offensive side Atleti did show some of their prowess, but most of our attempts were wide of Rayo’s goal. And when we did get our shots on target, Rubén did well to get in the way. The goalkeeper denied Falcao and later Filipe in the second half and helped secure the win for the home team.

Rubén did get beaten by Radamel Falcao when the Colombian profited after Rayo had failed to clear the ball, but the goal was scored after the four minutes of added time had already expired, leaving Atleti without the chance to make a final push to equalise.

Line-up: Courtois; Juanfran, Miranda, Cata Díaz, Filipe; Raúl García, Gabi, Mario (“75 Cristian Rodríguez), Koke (“81 Óliver Torres); Adrián (“46 Arda) and Falcao.

Goals: 1-0 Lass (“3); 2-0 Leo Baptistão (“33); 2-1 Falcao (“95)