Dani Ceballos reacts to boos and late drama at Santiago Bernabeu: ‘It wasn’t easy’ | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s narrow 2-1 victory over Rayo Vallecano was packed with tension, controversy, and decisive moments, and one of the central figures on the night was Dani Ceballos. 

The midfielder found himself at the heart of a key incident that ultimately shaped the outcome of the match.

During the second half, Ceballos was on the receiving end of a very hard challenge from Pathe Ciss, an action that resulted in a straight red card for the Rayo player. 

Thoughts on the match

That dismissal proved crucial, tilting the balance of the game in Real Madrid’s favour as they pushed relentlessly for a late winner.

After the final whistle, Ceballos spoke to Real Madrid TV, offering his perspective on both the match and the incident that left Rayo a man down. 

He highlighted the effort required to break down a stubborn opponent. He explained, 

“It was a hard-fought victory from start to finish. We went from strength to strength and ended up in their half, with 10 of them packed in front of the goal. 

“The team kept pushing and were rewarded with the three points, which were vital for us.”

Importance of the win

The importance of the win was a recurring theme in his comments. 

Coming on the back of a difficult previous result, Ceballos made it clear that dropping points was not an option if Real Madrid want to remain in the title race. 

Dani Ceballos was happy with the win. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

“After the other day’s game, the three points were vital to stay in the La Liga race. We played a good game, and I think the team should go even further.”

Naturally, attention also turned to his physical condition following the heavy tackle that sparked so much debate. 

Ceballos played down any serious concerns and stressed the sporting nature of the incident. He stated, 

“I’m a little sore, but I’m fine. It was just part of the game. He apologised to me, he went for the ball, and I anticipated it a little. 

“I think with a couple of days’ rest, I’ll be ready to continue. We have to go to Valencia and win.”

Atmosphere at Santiago Bernabeu

The midfielder also addressed the tense atmosphere inside the Santiago Bernabeu, where frustration was clearly felt among the fans during long spells of the match. 

Ceballos acknowledged the whistles but praised the supporters for their decisive backing late on. He concluded, 

“It wasn’t easy. The atmosphere was a bit tense because we weren’t creating any danger, but little by little, we got better. 

“When they gave those nine minutes of added time, the fans once again helped us to make it 2-1. It was partly thanks to them.”