Evening all! No rest for the wicked. Real Madrid have just beaten Cordoba, but now it is the turn of the league champions Atletico Madrid, who have made the short trip to Rayo Vallecano. Atletico scored nine times in their two games with Rayo last season, including a 4-2 win here in what was a tremendous match. Right, let me bring you up-to-date with the team news from the Spanish capital.

So there we have it. Plenty of new faces in both teams this evening. Villarreal loan pair Jonathan Pereira and Javier Aquino both start for Rayo, while there is also a spot in the team for Gael Kakuta. Atletico, meanwhile, hand league debuts to Moya, Ansaldi, Griezmann, Jimenez and Mandzukic.

Atletico will enter the match full of confidence after beating Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup last week. They drew the first leg 1-1 at the Bernabeu, but won 1-0 at the Vicente Calderon to pick up the trophy. They have lost key players this summer, but Diego Simeone has been very shrewd in the transfer market and they will challenge for silverware once more.

Rayo, meanwhile, at one point earlier in the summer, had just seven first-team players on their books following an exodus in terms of free transfers and players returning to their parent clubs from loan spells. A host of experience has left, but they have been extremely active in the market, adding plenty of attacking talent as well as boosting their back-line.

Here we go then. Both sets of players have joined us on the pitch for the first period. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. It must be said that the atmosphere is wonderful inside the stadium as Atletico get the first 45 minutes of action underway.

As expected, an end-to-end start in Madrid. Atletico break immediately with Jimenez, but the striker cannot run away from the challenge of Ba. Rayo are down the other end moments later, but Pereira cannot run away from Godin. I have a feeling that this is going to be fun! Plenty of goals please.

Atletico have a free kick outside the box as Gabi is challenged by Ba. The resulting set piece is delivered by Koke, but Ze Castro is on hand to clear for a corner, which is headed clear by Aquino. No real chances inside four minutes here, but both sides are committing numbers in the final third.

There wasn't really an in-between for Rayo last season, they were either brilliant, or poor, and that is demonstrated by the fact that they drew just four of their 38 league games. They are a team that loves to play football, but they do concede a lot of goals – 80 in the league last season, a quite incredible statistic for a team that finished 12th. Still we wait for the first real chance tonight.

Mandzukic is involved for Atletico as the Croatian forward turns outside the box before lifting a cross towards the far post, but the Rayo goalkeeper is on hand to collect. The atmosphere, both in the stands and on the pitch, has just settled following a quick opening, which is not much of a surprise.

A poor pass from Juanfran puts Atletico in trouble as Kakuta breaks into the box before delivering a cross, but there are no takers at the far post. Couple of sloppy passes from both teams thus far.

Well, not too much to report at the moment, with neither side able to find that elusive pass in the final third. Rayo are enjoying possession in defensive areas, but we have seen this all before from Atletico. They are more than happy to allow the opposition possession for long spells of the contest.

Just a reminder that Barcelona and Real Madrid have both already won on Matchday One - Barcelona were 3-0 winners over Elche last night, while Real Madrid beat Cordoba 2-0 earlier this evening.

Slightly untidy period of the match in the last couple of moments, with the referee forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. Aquino and Pereira combine in the final third for Rayo, but Godin is across to challenge at the vital moment. Still we wait for the first serious chance in Madrid.

Half-chance for Atletico as Griezmann threatens to move past the Rayo goalkeeper, but Alvarez just does enough to clear the danger when it appeared that the Frenchman would make the first contact. Atletico have a free kick outside the box moments later, but again Alvarez is out to collect in strong fashion.

End-to-end football in the last couple of moments, but still we wait for the first real chance. Neither team is really in control of the ball, meanwhile, with both enjoying periods with possession.

The referee keeps his cards in his pocket despite a strong challenge from Aquino on Mandzukic. The Mexican went straight through the back of the forward. The resulting free kick is delivered deep into the Rayo half, but Gimenez cannot thread a pass into Griezmann. Frustration for the Atletico attack thus far.

CHANCE! Wonderful chance for Atletico as Ansaldi delivers a cross towards Mandzukic, the striker makes contact, but his effort is just wide of the post. Clear sight of goal.

CHANCE! Mandzukic again comes close for Atletico after collecting a pass from Jimenez, but his effort is straight at the goalkeeper. That is two clear opportunities for the Croatian.

Atletico have just started to control the tempo in the last couple of minutes and have indeed had the better chances. Rayo remain a threat on the counter, however, with Aquino and Pereira both full of running. Little under 15 minutes of the first period remaining and still the score is goalless in the capital.

BOOKING! Baena goes into the book for Rayo for a pull on Mandzukic.

Rayo continue to take chances with some sloppy passing in defensive areas, but Atletico have been unable to make them pay thus far. Mandzukic has had the two best chances, but taken neither.

Little under 10 minutes of the first period remaining and it has not been as open as expected. Atletico have had the better chances, but Rayo have been fairly strong in defensive areas. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital in this type of match.

Possession football from Rayo in the last couple of minutes, which is not really their game. They are all about the quick counter, but it is difficult to break against this Atletico defence. Quini races down the right for the home side, but the defender cannot move past the challenge of Ansaldi.

Aquino threatens for the home side after collecting a through pass from Baena, but Miranda is quickly on the scene to clear the danger. Kakuta demonstrates his ability in the middle of the park moments later, evading the challenge of Suarez before the Spaniard brings the on-loan Chelsea man to the ground.

The referee has had a busy couple of minutes due to the number of late challenges that have occurred, but the Spaniard has not been willing to dip into his pocket unless absolutely necessary. Little over two minutes of the first period remaining in the Spanish capital. Still goalless.

So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. Atletico have had the better chances, with Mandzukic twice coming close, but it has been frustrating for the away side. Rayo have also had their moments, but failed to really test Moya in the Atletico goal.

STATS! Rayo have had more of the ball with 58% possession, but they have failed to hit the target with either of their two attempts. Atletico, meanwhile, have had five attempts, just two of which have been on target. There has been just the one card, meanwhile, with Baena in the book for Rayo.

BENCH WATCH! Rayo have plenty of attacking options on their bench with Lica, Manucho and Pozuelo all in reserve. Atletico, meanwhile, have options in the shape of Saul, Rodriguez and Tiago.

Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. There have been no changes from either manager, which is not a surprise. Right, Rayo get the second 45 minutes underway.

CHANCE! Bueno has the first chance of the second period for Rayo following a bright move, but the Spaniard places his effort wide of the post. Let's hope that is a sign of things to come!

Rayo have certainly started the second period on the front foot as they continue to dominate possession in the middle of the park. Kakuta bursts into life for the home side after combining with Bueno, but the on-loan Chelsea attacker then loses possession and fouls Godin in an attempt to regain the ball.

Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last couple of moments as the referee continues to become involved in the middle of the park. It has been a bit like that this evening, some bright moments, but some untidy periods as well. Still goalless with 51 minutes on the clock in the capital.

Chance for Atletico to threaten from a free kick as Ba brings Griezmann to the ground just outside the box. The resulting set piece is delivered into Koke, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar.

SUB! Rayo make the first change of the match as Manucho replaces Pereira.

Still no movement on the Atletico bench, but I suspect that changes will occur in the next 10 minutes or so. You just get the feeling that one goal will be enough to take all the points. Mandzukic and Jimenez as a front two has not really worked for Atletico this evening, but it is still early days.

Kakuta continues to look bright for Rayo as the on-loan Chelsea attacker drives past Juanfran before attempting to deliver, but the right-back comes across to challenge once more. The crowd have just started to raise their voices once again with little over 30 minutes of football remaining in Madrid.

This is the type of performance that was seen on a number of occasions by Atletico last season. However, they always managed to find a goal to win it. Is that going to be the case this evening?

SUB! Atletico make a change as Saul replaces Jimenez.

Half-chance for Rayo as Quini drives to the edge of the Atletico box before placing one towards the bottom corner, but his effort is just wide of the post. Another opportunity for the home side.

BOOKING! Ba goes into the book for Rayo after forcing Gabi to the ground.

The referee just needs to settle things down at the moment with a host of late challenges arriving. Miranda brings Bueno to the ground, which brings a furious reaction from the home side. Play continues moments later, but there is something boiling here. A red card would certainly change the course of the game.

Well, little over 20 minutes of football remaining and still we wait for the first goal. Chances have been few and far between in the last few minutes, meanwhile, as both sides continue to struggle in the final third. Rayo have been the better side in the second period, but without really testing Moya.

It's good work from Aquino as the Rayo winger drives down the left before delivering towards Manucho, but Miranda is across to make the clearance. The resulting corner eventually falls to Kakuta, but his effort is blocked by his own player inside the box. Much better from the home team.

Another half-chance for Rayo as Manucho prepares to meet a bouncing ball inside the Atletico box, but Bueno just gets in the way at the final moment and Moya is out to collect. Atletico are not threatening at the moment and cannot look to the sidelines for their manager, who is up in the stands tonight.

CHANCE! Rayo come close to scoring once again as Manucho meets a cross from Aquino, but Moya is on hand to make a fine save. Rayo are really forcing the issue at the moment.

Manucho is causing all sorts of problems at the moment as the former Manchester United striker wins another free kick from Miranda, but Atletico manage to clear their lines despite Manucho winning another header from the resulting free kick. Still goalless with little under 15 minutes of football remaining.

SUB! Second change for Atletico as Hector replaces Mandzukic.

Atletico have a half-chance of their own as Hector finds Koke on the edge of the box, but his effort is straight at Quini, who takes it full in the face. A period of treatment follows, but it does appear that the defender will be fit for the final 10 minutes.

CHANCE! Another chance for Manucho as Aquino delivers a dangerous cross from the right, but the striker cannot make contact and Miranda clears. Good grief Atletico are under pressure here!

Manucho is again involved for Rayo as he meets a high ball inside the Atletico box, but his effort is straight into the arms of Moya, who is becoming increasingly busy in the capital.

BOOKING! Suarez is booked for Atletico after bringing Aquino to the ground. The Mexican is having the time of his life for Rayo at the moment. Atletico just cannot handle him.

Rayo want a penalty as Bueno goes down inside the Atletico box under pressure from Juanfran, but the referee is not interested. Atletico just cannot keep the ball at the moment and the pressure comes straight back. Little under five minutes of the second period remaining and Rodriguez will soon enter for Atletico.

SUB! Rodriguez enters for Atletico in place of Griezmann.

Little over two minutes of normal time remaining and Rayo continue to look the most likely, with Aquino and Kakuta both threatening in the final third. Atletico are seemingly happy to accept a point here.

Atletico threaten from a corner as Koke rises inside the box, but Ze Castro is on hand to make the block. It falls to Rodriguez, but again his effort is blocked. We are into the final minute of normal time.

The referee indicates that we will play an additional three minutes.

Neither side is settling for a point as both commit numbers in the final third, but another attack for Atletico breaks down and that could be just about that in the capital.

BOOKING! Juanfran goes into the book for fouling Manucho.

So there we have it. The referee brings the second period to an end with Rayo holding Atletico to a 0-0 draw. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to look out for analysis and player ratings pieces from both of tonight's La Liga matches. Until next time!