Valencia conceded early in each half and succumbed to a 2-1 loss away at battling Rayo Vallecano. An Isi Palazon strike and an own goal saw the Madrid team claim the points despite a late rally and an added-time consolation from Mouctar Diakhaby. It was a clash of two young coaches in which 40-year-old Andoni Iraola, the former Athletic Club defender, toppled Italian legend, Gennaro Gattuso.Gattuso has taken over the Valencia job amid arduous circumstances. The bad blood between club owner Peter Lim and the fans, another poor transfer window and the team morale at an all-time low. But he seems to be doing the right things with the tools he’s been given. Los Che are playing attractive, attacking football – and they certainly tried to do the same at Estadio del Vallecas in the scorching heat of 33 degrees Celsius on Saturday afternoon.However, this time they weren’t tough enough at one of the grounds where it’s absolutely essential. Rayo, as gritty as they come, took their chances. The first one came just five minutes after kick-off when the Red Lighthing’s talisman Isi Palazon nipped in ahead of Hugo Duro and steered an Oscar Trejo pass into the net. The noisy Bukaneros, Rayo’s passionate fans, were in full swing at their tightly-packed suburban stadium.
Rayo was much better in this first half and had better chances. Valencia’s Georgian goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili kept the visitors in the game with a couple of great saves. Later, Gattuso’s team stretched out and approached Stole Dimitrievski’s goal, albeit without creating clear chances.They had their best chance just a couple of minutes after the break. Nicolas ‘Nico’ Gonzalez played a terrific pass for Barcelona’s on-loan youngster Yunus Musah, but he skied his shot from a fantastic position to Dimitrievski’s relief.The punishment was quick and relentless. Just a couple of minutes later, Nico clumsily sent the ball into his own net, virtually killing his team. Even though there were around 40 minutes to go, Valencia resembled a burst balloon after going two behind and rarely looked like getting back into the game despite introducing Justin Kluivert at the break.Guinean defender Mouctar Diakhaby scored a consolation goal deep in injury time, but it was too little, too late for the Bats.LA LIGA – ROUND 5FridayGirona – Valladolid 2-1 (1-1)/Reinier 21, Romeu 88 – Monchu 38/SaturdayRayo Vallecano – Valencia 2-1 (1-0)/Palazon 5, Nico 52 og – Diakhaby 90+3/17:15: (3.10) Espanyol (3.10) Sevilla (2.65)19:30: (11.0) Cadiz (6.25) Barcelona (1.28)22:00: (1.68) Atl.Madrid (3.80) Celta (6.25)Sunday15:00: (1.31) Real Madrid (6.00) Mallorca (10.0)17:15: (4.20) Elche (3.45) Ath.Bilbao (2.04)19:30: (3.70) Getafe (3.10) Sociedad (2.35)22:00: (3.00) Betis (3.30) Villareal (2.60)Monday22:00: (2.81) Almeria (3.05) Osasuna (2.95)***odds are subject to change***