Kylian Mbappe made his much-anticipated La Liga 2024 debut for Real Madrid on Sunday. However, the match did not go as planned. Real Madrid, the reigning Spanish and European champions, were held to a 1-1 draw by a determined Real Mallorca in their opening match of the season.
Early Dominance by Real Madrid
Real Madrid started the game strong. Rodrygo Goes, one of their talented Brazilian forwards, gave Madrid an early lead. After a well-coordinated move, Vinicius Junior rolled the ball back to Rodrygo, who curled a shot into the far corner, leaving Mallorca’s goalkeeper, Dominik Greif, with no chance.
Madrid continued to press forward, seeking to extend their lead. Mbappe, who had recently joined from Paris Saint-Germain, had a few chances but was unable to convert them. Greif made crucial saves, including one from a close-range effort by Mbappe. Despite their dominance, Madrid could not find the second goal.
Mallorca’s Resilient Defense
Mallorca, under their new coach Jagoba Arrasate, showed great resilience. They absorbed Madrid’s pressure and managed to hold on until halftime without conceding further goals. Their defense, led by tough-tackling Pablo Maffeo, frustrated Madrid’s star-studded attack.
In the second half, Mallorca’s persistence paid off. They leveled the score through Vedat Muriqi, who powered a header home from a Dani Rodriguez corner. The goal stunned Madrid and brought the home crowd at Son Moix stadium to life.
Mbappe’s Struggles and Madrid’s Frustration
Mbappe, who had been expected to make a big impact, found it difficult to break down Mallorca’s defense. Despite his best efforts, including a low shot saved by Greif, he could not find the back of the net. Real Madrid’s frustration grew as they struggled to regain the lead.
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, who had fielded the same starting lineup that won the UEFA Super Cup against Atalanta, was visibly displeased. He criticized his team’s lack of balance and work-rate. “We have to do better, with more attitude,” Ancelotti said. “This game can teach us a lot. We need to defend better and maintain balance on the pitch.”
Late Drama and Mendy’s Red Card
As the match approached its conclusion, Mallorca continued to hold firm. Ancelotti brought on veteran Luka Modric, hoping to inject more creativity into Madrid’s attack. However, Mallorca’s defense, backed by the impressive Greif, stood strong.
In the dying moments, Madrid’s frustrations boiled over. Ferland Mendy, their left-back, received a straight red card for a reckless challenge on Muriqi. The dismissal summed up Madrid’s disappointing evening.
Muriqi’s Joy and Mbappe’s Disappointment
After the match, Muriqi, who had been a constant threat to Madrid’s defense, expressed his delight. “I’m so tired but it was worth it,” Muriqi said. “It was so important to get a point against a team like Madrid, maybe the best in the world. Scoring against Madrid is so beautiful.”
For Mbappe, the result was far from the dream debut he had hoped for. Despite his efforts, he could not inspire his team to victory. However, there is little doubt that he will have many more opportunities to showcase his talent in La Liga 2024.
Looking Ahead
Real Madrid will need to regroup quickly as they continue their title defense in La Liga 2024. Ancelotti will likely address the issues that surfaced during the draw with Mallorca, particularly the need for better balance and defensive stability.
As for Mallorca, the draw against one of the world’s top teams will boost their confidence as they aim for a strong season. Coach Jagoba Arrasate can take pride in how his team performed under pressure.
The La Liga season is long, and both teams will have plenty of opportunities to achieve their goals. For now, though, the focus will be on learning from this match and improving in the games to come. Stay updated with the latest from IPL365.
