Real Madrid’s La Liga campaign began with a disappointing 1-1 draw against Mallorca at Estadi Mallorca Son Moix. Despite a strong first-half performance, the reigning champions failed to secure all three points. The game was marred by a red card and defensive lapses, raising concerns over Real Madrid’s title defense.
Table of Contents
Match Summary
Real Madrid dominated early on, with Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo showcasing their attacking prowess. However, Mallorca’s resilient defense and Real’s lack of precision in the final third led to a frustrating draw.
Key Moments
| Minute | Event | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| 12′ | Rodrygo scores | Real Madrid takes an early lead. |
| 53′ | Muriqi scores for Mallorca | Equalizer exposes Madrid’s defensive issues. |
| 96′ | Mendy sent off for reckless challenge | Real Madrid down to 10 men, ending hopes of a win. |
Player Ratings
| Player | Performance | Rating | Comments |
|---|---|---|---|
| Courtois | Made crucial saves but had moments of uncertainty. | 6 | Needs to be more consistent under pressure. |
| Carvajal | Struggled in defensive duels and contributed little offensively. | 5 | Needs improvement in positioning and decision-making. |
| Militao | A mix of solid defense and costly mistakes. | 5 | His errors almost led to Mallorca’s goal. |
| Rüdiger | Strong defensively but could not prevent the equalizer. | 6 | Consistent performance but lacked support. |
| Mendy | Defensive solidity turned into recklessness, resulting in a red card. | 4 | His red card significantly impacted the game. |
| Valverde | Solid in both attack and defense, crucial in the midfield. | 7 | Key player in maintaining balance for Madrid. |
| Bellingham | Creative force in the first half but faded in the second. | 6 | Impressive in attack but struggled with consistency. |
| Vinicius Jr. | Constant threat, created several chances but lacked finishing touch. | 7 | His creativity was crucial, but finishing needs work. |
| Rodrygo | Scored the opening goal and was Madrid’s most dangerous player. | 8 | Best performer, showing versatility and clinical finishing. |
| Mbappé | Had moments of brilliance but was unable to find the back of the net. | 6 | Struggled to break down Mallorca’s defense despite his pace. |
Tactical Analysis
Real Madrid, under Carlo Ancelotti, started with their preferred 4-3-3 formation, with Bellingham playing a pivotal role in the midfield. Despite a strong start, the team’s inability to capitalize on chances and defensive errors led to dropped points. Mendy’s red card further compounded their woes, leaving Madrid to fend off Mallorca’s late advances with 10 men.
Conclusion
Real Madrid’s draw against Mallorca highlights the challenges they face in defending their La Liga title. While the attacking trio of Vinicius, Rodrygo, and Mbappé showed promise, the defensive vulnerabilities and lack of composure under pressure could be their undoing this season. Ancelotti will need to address these issues quickly if Real Madrid hopes to retain their crown.
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