RCD Mallorca – Real Madrid: Unhappy Start Of The Title Defense (1-1)

Away from the Santiago Bernabeu in the first game of their LaLiga title defense, Carlo Ancelotti's men took a disappointing single point back to Madrid. Under new manager Jagoba Arrasate, Mallorca succeeded in disrupting the start of Real Madrid’s Mbappé era.

Tactical analysis and match report by Achraf Lamdarhri.

Kylian Mbappé is the only new face who entered the royal castle in a summer that saw players coming out and others hanging up their boots. The Frenchman had been desired for several years and was now finally brought in to add more offensive power to the existing crew and help his dream club maintain its position at the pinnacle. In fact, this was already the case when the former Paris Saint-Germain player put his name on the scoresheet against Atalanta securing a new ornament added to the royal crown.

Kylian Mbappé is aware of the meaning of putting on the white shirt. Therefore, his performances need to be consistent all over the season, starting with the away game against RCD Mallorca who are eager to make the royal engine stutter in their opening fixture of LaLiga 2024/25.

Ancelotti played with the same eleven as he did in the Super Cup clash with Atalanta. Thibaut Courtois operated as the protector of the royal net. Éder Militão and Antonio Rüdiger formed the pair in the center of the backline. Ferland Mendy kept his position as the main cog for the left back role, whereas Dani . . .