Real Madrid began the season with a 2-0 win over Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup and were expected to dominate Mallorca in their La Liga opener.
Rodrygo scored early, but Vedat Muriqi’s header early in the second half led to a draw. Real Madrid struggled with possession, making numerous passing errors, especially before conceding the equalizer. Mallorca’s defense held strong, and their left-back, Mojica, caused problems for Real both offensively and defensively. This match highlighted potential challenges for Real Madrid in the upcoming La Liga season.
Although Real Madrid’s attacking quartet contributed to the opening goal, only Jude Bellingham truly performed well. Vinicius overused his dribbling, while Mbappé was not only starved of the ball but also tended to drift left and pretended to press when defending. Rodrygo scored but seemed overworked, having to track back frequently as Mojica continually outplayed Carvajal. Despite their impressive lineup, Real Madrid lacks a true striker and often relies on Bellingham’s late-game moments or Joselu’s power to break down deep defensive teams, as seen last season.
