In a highly anticipated debut, Kylian Mbappe took to the pitch for his first Spanish league match with defending champions Real Madrid. However, the French forward’s presence wasn’t enough to secure a win, as Real Madrid settled for a 1-1 draw against Mallorca. Mbappe, who scored in Madrid’s 2-0 victory over Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup earlier in the week, was unable to replicate his scoring prowess on Sunday.
Madrid stepped onto the field at the Son Moix Stadium with the same squad that successfully defeated Atalanta, led by coach Carlo Ancelotti. The attacking trio featured Rodrygo, Vinicius Junior, and of course, Mbappe. “They change position from time to time,” Ancelotti commented regarding the dynamics of Vinicius and Mbappe. “Sometimes Mbappe plays more centrally, and sometimes one of the two has to occupy this flank, without a particular plan. It depends on how they feel about it.”
Thirteen minutes into the match, Rodrygo put Real Madrid ahead, scoring the first goal against Mallorca. The early lead had fans hopeful for a straightforward victory. However, Mallorca wasn’t about to concede easily. Vedat Muriqi leveled the score with a goal in the 53rd minute, dashing Madrid’s hopes of a comfortable win. “We got off to a good start, taking the lead, and then had a chance to get the second goal,” explained Ancelotti. “However, we didn’t find the balance in the second half. We could have lost, as there was no balance at the back. It wasn’t a good game. We need to defend better. We’re a very attacking team, but defensive balance is a fundamental factor.
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The challenges did not end there for Madrid. Defender Ferland Mendy received a red card following a hard foul on Muriqi deep into second-half stoppage time, further complicating matters for the team. Ancelotti was forthright about the situation, stating, “I don’t want to make excuses for anything, but we just need to do better and with a better attitude. We can learn a lot from this match. It’s quite clear where our problems could come from.”
Prominent figures in the football world were in attendance, including Rafael Nadal, a native of Mallorca, who watched the match from the stands. Before the kickoff, Mallorca’s players formed a guard of honour for the Super Cup victors, applauding them as they entered the field.
In other matches, Real Sociedad, who had finished sixth last season, faced an unexpected setback at home. They were defeated 2-1 by Rayo Vallecano, a team that had struggled to avoid relegation the previous season. Second-half goals from Jorge de Frutos and Sergio Camello secured Rayo Vallecano’s surprise win, while Sociedad’s lone goal came from Martín Zubimendi in stoppage time.
While Real Madrid grappled with their draw and Sociedad suffered an upset, Barcelona experienced a positive result. On Saturday, Robert Lewandowski scored twice, ensuring a 2-1 victory for Barcelona over Valencia in coach Hansi Flick’s debut in the Spanish league. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid is set to play against Villarreal in an anticipated match on Monday.
The game between Real Madrid and Mallorca underscores the unpredictable nature of football, where even star-studded lineups can’t always guarantee success. As Ancelotti and his team reflect on the draw, they will undoubtedly be considering strategies for shoring up their defense while maintaining their aggressive attacking style. With a season packed with opportunities and challenges ahead, Real Madrid will need to fine-tune their tactics to navigate the competitive landscape of the Spanish league successfully.
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