Defending champions Atletico Madrid were back on track after four consecutive league losses with a 2-0 home win against Rio Vallecano on Sunday thanks to a brace from Argentina winger ngel Correa.
Atleti surpassed Rayo in the standings and are now fourth with 32 points from 19 matches. Rayo is in fifth place with 30 points. Real Madrid, having previously lost at Getafe, lead LaLiga with 46 points from 20 matches.
Correa, playing out of position as a pure striker in the absence of Antoine Griezmann and Joo Felix, who both missed Atletico's first game of 2022 due to positive COVID-19 tests, helped Atletico lead a win. where they dominated from start to finish.
He rebounded from inside the box in the 28th minute after a brilliant play and strike from Yannick Carrasco, then volleyed in the 53rd minute at a low cross from Renan Lodi.
"We needed this win after four consecutive losses," Korea's man of the match told reporters.
"It's a great way to start the year because we played well and won, we're really happy with the attitude and the result."
The win was a relief for Atletico manager Diego Simeone, who has never lost more than two consecutive league matches since taking over in 2011.
"[To get the win] it was very important. The players showed it with a lot of heart, from the first minute to the last minute. We know the results are reality but in the last four games we did the important things too well. And the mistakes hurt us more than we deserved," Simeon said.
Simeone tested positive for COVID-19 earlier in the week, but was cleared to replace him early on Sunday after his latest test came back negative.
The Argentine coach decided to change his system from three defenders to a classic 4-4-2, recalling Griezmann, Felix and captain Coke and Spanish international flanker Marcos Llorente due to the pandemic.
The change was significant as defenders Kieran Trippier and Rennon Lodi dominated the touchline, winning every stage of the game.
The first goal began with a combination between English right back and midfielder Rodrigo de Paul, who went to Carrasco, who entered the field and scored. When the ball was deflected, Korea was the fastest to reach it and open the scoring.
In the second half, Brazil international Lodi raced ahead and found Korea in the box with a perfect cross.
Simeone continued: "Angel should be highlighted for his finishing with goals. He is ahead and [Luis] Suarez, Cunha, Griezmann, Joo [Felix], often we use him elsewhere so that we have a Have the extra player who can win games like he does last season when we were champions."