Rayo and Athletic Club did not go beyond a goalless draw despite both having good chances on matchday 24 of LaLiga Santander held at the Vallecas Stadium, while Real Valladolid added a vital victory (2-1) this Sunday against Espanyol to get out of relegation.

In a special match between Andoni Iraola and Ernesto Valverde, a student and teacher in Bilbao, with the rain falling on the Madrid neighborhood and two teams looking for victory, only aim was missing, both with the same goal of bringing the European zone closer.

Within an even first half, Athletic began to accumulate occasions, such as a header from point-blank range by Sancet. However, Álvaro García managed the best for Rayo, with a left-footed shot that went straight to the post.

After the break, Berenguer gave the locals a lot of trouble on the wing and had chances as well as handing out others. At Rayo, the entry of Raúl de Tomás was close to being translated into a goal, if it were not for a miraculous intervention by Agirrezabala or for an Iñigo Martínez who, on his return from November, was 10.

In the exchange, the last one was from Nico Williams, who crashed into the crossbar, and, although the Basques were left with one less for the red card to Sancet, Rayo did not have a reply in a distribution of points that both teams had to give for good.

Meanwhile, in the morning session, Real Valladolid broke a dynamic of three games without a win to get out, with 27 points, of a relegation zone that is getting very tight. Pacheta’s team again taught wickers to believe in salvation and had a great Gonzalo Plata, plus goals from Iván Sánchez and Aguado.

Espanyol, with Brian Oliván injured after eight minutes, suffered from local harassment at the start, but had their step forward with Darder and Puado. The 1-0 at 25 minutes gave a Valladolid prominence again that was able to sentence, although Puado reappeared brushing the ‘parakeet’ goal. With Silver everywhere, Pucela doubled the lead on 62′ and forgave again, without having to pay for it despite the final suspense for Braithwaite’s 2-1.