To say the least, Real Madrid defeated a quality Rayo Vallecano team in a very vital La Liga match. This game may not have been the greatest the club has played this year or in terms of what is expected of a squad with so many stars, but it was reassuring given previous performances.
There are several conclusions derived from this game, both unfavorable and positive, and they, in a manner, give a tremendous degree of insight into Real Madrid's season and what can be anticipated of this team in the near future.
Many players defied expectations, while many underperformed. The team performed slightly better than their prior games. Is this the start of a revival in the most vital period of the season? We shall only know in the coming weeks. In the meanwhile, here are three things to remember from the match versus Rayo Vallecano.