Real Madrid’s strong season has slowed down slightly. After losing 1–0 to Liverpool at Anfield last Tuesday, the team was held to a 0–0 draw by Rayo Vallecano in Vallecas on Sunday, November 9th. It is the first time since the start of the 2025–26 campaign that Madrid have gone two games in a row without a win.
It is not a crisis, but it does mark the team’s most subdued spell so far this season. Real remain at the top of La Liga, yet their recent away results have raised some concern. Playing outside the Santiago Bernabéu has become a tougher task than expected for Xabi Alonso’s squad.
The match against Rayo was flat and short on inspiration. Real had the ball, but struggled to break through. Vinícius Jr., Mbappé and Bellingham tried to create chances, but Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla produced an excellent performance to keep a clean sheet.
The game began with Real pressing high and creating danger early on. Just two minutes in, Camavinga recovered the ball near the box and set up Arda Güler, who forced Batalla into an early save. Rayo responded at the 20-minute mark when Andrei Rațiu tested Courtois, who reacted well. Seconds later, Mbappé crossed to Bellingham, whose shot was blocked, before Vinícius fired the rebound — another big stop from Batalla.
In the second half, the story remained the same. Real dominated possession but found no space in the final third. Mbappé dribbled past two defenders and laid the ball off to Güler, who shot wide. Fifteen minutes later, Vinícius set up Mbappé again, but the Frenchman’s effort went over the bar. Rayo’s best chance came when Álvaro García shot just above the crossbar after a quick passing move.
Real pushed hard in the closing minutes, looking for a late winner. Vinícius switched play to Bellingham, who set up Valverde for a strong strike from distance, but Batalla made another decisive save to secure the draw for the home side.
The result keeps Real Madrid in first place in La Liga, although their lead could shrink depending on Barcelona’s match later in the round. The goalless draw follows the midweek loss at Anfield, meaning the Spanish giants have now gone two straight matches without a win — something that hadn’t happened this season.
It also highlights a clear trend. Away from home, Madrid have struggled to find their best version. Until the defeat to Liverpool, their only loss of the season had been the 5–2 setback against Atlético de Madrid at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano on September 27, also away from home. Those two defeats, along with the draw at Vallecas, underline how challenging road games have been for the team.
Now the schedule gives them little time to rest. Real Madrid will play four more consecutive away matches: against Elche in La Liga, Olympiacos in the Champions League, Girona in La Liga, and Athletic Bilbao, also in the league. Their next home game will only take place on December 7, when they host Celta de Vigo at the Bernabéu.
Real Madrid remain solid overall, but the coming weeks will test their ability to stay consistent far from home.
