Real Madrid fans boo and whistle at players once again before Rayo Vallecano clash

Real Madrid take on Rayo Vallecano in La Liga at the Santiago Bernabeu today, hoping to produce a strong reaction after their midweek debacle in Portugal.

Los Blancos suffered a humiliating 4-2 defeat to Benfica, even conceding a late goal from their goalkeeper, with the result costing them a place in the top eight of the Champions League standings.

Hostile reception

Considering the dismal performance and disappointing outcome, Real Madrid players were once again greeted with loud whistles and boos by fans at the Santiago Bernabeu today ahead of kickoff vs Rayo Vallecano, reports AS.

A hostile reception was expected by those at the club after the Benfica disasterclass, but manager Alvaro Arbeloa had asked the fans to show support for the players in his press conference.

But it was not to be as Real Madrid were dealt a sense of deja vu of the Levante match, 15 days later, with fans whistling at the players once again.

Mbappe was also not spared by the fans. (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images)

As the players came out for the warm-up, the whistles rang out loud. Both the goalkeepers, to a lesser extent, and the outfield players were targeted.

It must be noted that the players were jeered by the fans when the team bus arrived as well. And, it is expected that there will be whistles when the line-ups are announced and continue during the match itself.

One of the more striking moments involved Kylian Mbappe. Only a few seconds into the warm-up, the whistles were beginning to fade and, in that atmosphere, the forward applauded. It was a gesture aimed at encouraging the crowd.

It did not work. At that very moment, just as the whistles seemed to be easing, they intensified again, this time directed at him. It did not go down well.

The mood in the stands is strained. That much is undeniable.