Pressure on Real Madrid as Rayo Vallecano comes to Bernabeu

MADRID, Jan. 31 (Xinhua) -- Real Madrid faces another test from its own supporters on Sunday lunchtime when Rayo Vallecano makes the short trip across the Spanish capital to the Santiago Bernabeu.

A 6-1 rout of Monaco followed by a 2-0 win away to Villarreal appeared to steady the mood after head coach Xabi Alonso's departure and a disastrous Copa del Rey exit to second-division Albacete in Alvaro Arbeloa's first match in charge.

That sense of calm proved short-lived. A 4-2 defeat away to Benfica on Wednesday, capped by a stoppage-time goal from Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin, reopened tensions between players and fans frustrated by what they see as a lack of commitment.

The loss consigned Madrid to the playoff round to reach the Champions League last 16, ironically against Benfica, denying Arbeloa's weary squad the chance to enjoy two rare midweeks without a match.

There has been one consistent positive. Kylian Mbappe continues to score freely, with 13 goals in the Champions League and 21 in La Liga. His league tally accounts for nearly half of Madrid's 45 goals this season and underlines the need for greater support in attack.

Arbeloa remains without central defenders Eder Militao and Antonio Rudiger, while Trent Alexander-Arnold is also sidelined. Still, Madrid can draw some comfort from the form of their visitors.

Rayo, coached by Inigo Perez, is struggling to balance UEFA Conference League commitments with domestic duties and has slipped to 16th in La Liga after back-to-back defeats. The latest was a bruising 3-1 home loss to Osasuna, sealed by two injury-time goals, despite Osasuna having failed to win away all season.

Another defeat at the Bernabeu could see Rayo end the weekend in the relegation zone. ■