Out of form in front of goal in LaLiga after finding the back of the net only once across their previous five matches, Rayo surprisingly needed just five minutes to register the first shot on target of the evening. Andrei Ratiu’s solo run into the opposition’s half resulted in Betis goalkeeper Alvaro Valles producing a smart save to keep the right-back’s dipping effort from opening the scoring in the hosts’ favour.
After an invigorated start in front of their home faithful, Rayo suffered an unforeseen blow shortly after the quarter-hour mark in their determined search for the game’s opening goal. Already struggling for form in front of goal, it certainly didn’t help losing top scorer Jorge de Frutos to what appeared to be a painful-looking injury.
However, it seemingly didn’t affect the Franjirrojos’ forward momentum as they forced Valles into a stunning double save after 28 minutes to keep it goalless. First, Betis’ number one got two palms behind Florian Lejeune’s fierce free-kick firing in from just outside the area before somehow getting an outstretched fingertip to Isi Palazon’s rebound.
Those saves played a noteworthy role in Betis reaching half-time still on a level playing field after they had failed to pose a significant threat to Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla throughout the first half.
However, manager Manuel Pellegrini’s team talk during the break clearly inspired his side to reinvent themselves in front of goal after only four minutes of the restart, as Aitor Ruibal’s long-range rocket was expertly redirected away from danger by Batalla.
In response, Vallecano needed until after the hour mark to see their first sight of goal in the second half as Palazon glanced his header narrowly wide.
Palazon's attempts to get his name on the scoresheet continued with 70 minutes on the clock as his goalbound effort beat Valles but not the right-hand post. Ultimately, that was as close as either side would come to a goal.
The goalless draw leaves Betis in sixth position in the LaLiga standings, two points ahead of Athletic Club, in the final European spot.
Meanwhile, Rayo remain in the congested bottom half, seven points behind Los Verdiblancos and just three above the bottom three after winning only four of their 16 league matches this campaign.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Alvaro Valles (Real Betis)
