Real Madrid Stars Crumble Under Fire as Vallecas 'Battle' Claims Two Casualties

Real Madrid are concerned about the fitness of Federico Valverde and Thibaut Courtois following a challenging encounter at Rayo Vallecano's stadium, which Spanish media have quickly labeled the "Battle of Vallecas."

Xabi Alonso's league-leading side couldn't break down their opponents' stubborn defense, managing only a 0–0 stalemate that marked their second consecutive match without finding the net after Tuesday's Champions League loss to Liverpool.

Ridiculously early crisis discussions are already circulating in Madrid, and the atmosphere won't improve with injuries affecting two of Alonso's key players.

Valverde was substituted due to discomfort for the second time this week. "I'm unsure whether it was a muscle problem or a particular movement that caused pain," the determined Uruguayan explained to media after hobbling off against Liverpool. Though cleared to feature this weekend, Valverde again found himself holding his hamstring before being substituted by Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Thibaut Courtois completed the match but didn't escape the physical encounter without consequences. Madrid's star goalkeeper, whose eight stops against Liverpool single-handedly prevented embarrassment, sustained a "minor strain" in his right thigh, per AS. While the muscular problem's seriousness has been downplayed, uncertainty remains about when the 33-year-old will return to action.

Madrid won't play again until visiting an exciting Elche team on Sunday, Nov. 23. Nevertheless, both Valverde and Courtois have received national team call-ups for this month's international window, requiring significant travel for each player.

Valverde's Uruguay will play two friendlies against World Cup co-hosts Mexico and the United States across the Atlantic. Courtois will stay in Europe for Belgium's World Cup qualifying matches, but faces a potential 5,600-mile journey to Astana, Kazakhstan if selected.

Vallecas Jinx Continues

"We anticipated a challenging encounter," Alonso acknowledged somberly after another disappointing result for Real Madrid at Vallecas. "This season and in past campaigns, it's consistently been tough for us to take control and perform well because Rayo pushes you to your limits."

Madrid remain without victory in their last four away fixtures against the intense pressing Madrid-based club, collecting only three points from twelve available. Eden Hazard was part of the last squad to secure victory at Vallecas.

Despite deteriorating facilities and a stubborn president who consistently criticizes supporters who respond in kind, Rayo have remarkably positioned themselves among Spain's top clubs recently. At an organization lacking a website for ticket purchases, where supporters must physically line up around the building for seats, demand remains consistently high.

A playing philosophy originally implemented by current Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has been further developed by his former deputy Iñigo Pérez, who guided this unconventional club into European competition. Even winger Álvaro García acknowledged: "Sometimes you wonder: 'How did we reach this level with our limited resources?'"

Pérez only received the Rayo appointment after failing to obtain a visa to join Iraola on England's south coast. Appropriately, his debut match leading Rayo resulted in a 1–1 draw against Real Madrid at Vallecas. Despite possessing resources that far exceed anything their city rivals could imagine, Real still haven't discovered how to triumph at Vallecas.