LALIGA champions Real Madrid began the campaign with a 1-1 draw away to Mallorca on Sunday night.
LALIGA
Result: Mallora v Real Madrid
Date: 18 August 2024
Venue: Estadi Mallorca Son Moix
Carlo Ancelotti went with the same that started the UEFA Super Cup win over Atalanta on Wednesday, with Kylian Mbappe given his league debut after scoring on his first appearance.It was Rodrygo who got the ball rolling in the 12th minute as he combined with Vinicius Junior in the box before curling one into the top corner for his first goal of the campaign.
The home side had a chance to pull themselves level after 20 minutes when Johan Moijca sent an inviting cross into the box for Takuma Asano but Los Blancos defender Antonio Rudiger popped up with a vital interception to deny a certain goal.
Mallorca enjoyed a bit more of the ball in the latter stages of the first half, with the team going close to levelling matters on 38 minutes but Rodriguez sent his header over the crossbar from Maffeo's cross.
The hosts got their reward seven minutes after the break when striker Vedat Muriqi powered home a header after Rudiger misjudged the flight of Dani Rodriguez's in-swinging corner.
Ancelotti responded with his first change after the hour mark as Aurelien Tchouameni made way for veteran midfielder Luka Modric as the champions looked to claw themselves back in front.
Los Blancos upped the tempo for the remainder of the half as Mallorca had their backs against the wall, as Mbappe saw his low strike deflected onto the upright by goalkeeper Dominik Greif.
Mallorca had a big chance of their own to win the clash with two minutes left on the clock when the ball dropped kindly for substitute Antonio Sanchez in the box, but the midfielder sent his effort into the stand.
While there would be no winning goal, Los Blancos did finish the game with ten men after Ferland Mendy was giving his marching orders in stoppage time after picking up his second yellow card of the contest.
