Rayo Vallecano started the preseason with a loss against Hearts in a friendly match. The Madrid-based team struggled to link passes in the opposing field. The first opportunity, however, was from the Madrid-based team: Etienne Eto’o received the ball from Jozhua Vertrouwd at five minutes and forced Alexander Schwolow to intervene.
What happened in the friendly?
The Scottish response was immediate. Oisin McEntee headed high a Stephen Kingsley corner kick and Alexandre Zurawski avoided a low shot from another local player. Amadou Ba Sy missed at 14 minutes, but didn't miss at 18, when he headed a Josh McPake cross towards the opposite post. The French striker completed his double in 34 minutes, attacking with power a Christian Borchgrevink pass and beating Dani Cárdenas from below.
Why does it matter for Rayo Vallecano?
The Rayo goalkeeper prevented the difference from growing before halftime. He blocked a Claudio Braga shot, deflected a Tom Renaud approach and caught another header from the Portuguese striker, while a MJ Kamson Kamara header crashed into the side netting. The best response from the visitors came in the last action of the first half, with a Pedro Díaz corner kick directed at the squad that Schwolow saved with a great stretch.
What's next?
Beñat changed the eleven players after halftime and the Rayo gained presence with Unai López, Óscar Valentín and Andrei Ratiu. Sergio Camello warned with a distant vaseline before scoring in the 60th minute: Fran Pérez crossed from the left, Schwolow blocked and the striker shot from the front, with a deflection that lifted the ball above the goalkeeper. The goal gave speed to the Madrid-based team, which sought the equalizer until the end, although the Hearts protected their lead without conceding a clear opportunity in the last minutes of the match.
