Why are Real Madrid fans whistling and booing their own team against Vallecano?

For the second home league game in a row, Real Madrid players faced boos and whistles from their own fans at the Bernabéu during their LaLiga clash against Rayo Vallecano.

Álvaro Arbeloa’s squad had already endured a hostile reception before their matchup against Levante on January 17, which followed a shock Copa del Rey exit at the hands of second-tier team Albacete.

Mixed results fail to soothe fans

Three consecutive wins, including a 6-1 thrashing of Monaco in the Champions League, seemed to have calmed supporters, but Wednesday’s European defeat to Benfica reignited unrest.

Players were booed and whistled at during warmups and in the early stages of the game against Rayo. An early goal from Vinicius, the main target of fans’ ire, appeared to win some approval from the crowd.

Tension returns despite early goal

Still, a lethargic performance after the opener meant the tense atmosphere returned for the rest of the first half. Loose passes and missed opportunities for Rayo were met with jeers from significant sections of the home support, who made their displeasure known at the halftime whistle.

The Bernabéu crowd is famously hard to please, and Árbeloa’s team are in the bad books at the moment.