Alavés 1 - Rayo Vallecano 1

Alavés: Dutruel; Edu Alonso, Abelardo, Karmona, Llorens (Magno 60'); Nacho (Geli 55'), Jordi Cruyff, Luis Helguera, Ibon Begoña; Ilie (Iván Alonso 46'); Rubén Navarro. 4-4-1-1.
Rayo: Etxeberría; Mario, De Quintana, Onopko, Graff; Quevedo, Azkoitia; Julio Alvarez (Corino 87'), Peragón (Bolo 79'), Michel; Bolic (Mora 63'). 4-2-3-1.

Team changes: Alavés: Nacho, Ilie, Ibon Begoña for Téllez, Turiel, Magno / Rayo: Etxeberría, Azkoitia, Julio Alvarez for Segura, Helder, Camuñas.

Goals:
0-1. 19. Peragón. Ran through and hit shot off Karmona which rolled in off post.
1-1. 71. Karmona. Near post header down past Etxeberría from left sided corner.

Rayo Vallecano's new manager Gustavo Benítez started off with a valuable point in a 1-1 draw at a snowy Alavés, although he felt they could have even had a victory after his side led for much of the game. Benítez brought back Etxeberría in goal and put out an offensive line up, and got his reward somewhat fortunately when a long Peragón run ended with a half hit shot which hit Karmona on the back of the shorts and span slowly past a stationary Dutruel. The Madrid based side controlled the game until the hour mark, when Azkoitia picked up two bookings in the space of a minute to leave his side with ten men. Luis Helguera headed against the bar as the home side pushed forward, and a few minutes later Karmona equalised with a powerful header from a left sided corner. Even so Julio Alvarez could have won the game for the visitors had he not hesitated too long in front of goal, allowing the defence to get back. A better result for Rayo, but they still stay down in next to bottom place in the table.