Mallorca deal depleted Real Madrid massive blow in title race
Real had already lost Éder Militão and Karim Benzema to injury against Valencia, but also had to contend with Thibaut Courtois dropping out in the warm-up, as Carlo Ancelotti handed Andriy Lunin his first league appearance since October. Los Blancos had looked frustrated by their hosts’ aggressive approach from the off, and Nacho Fernández made things worse for his team when the defender’s header from Dani Rodríguez’s cross looped over Lunin and into his own net just 13 minutes in.
While Los Piratas were helped by a slice of luck when they took the lead, they defended it admirably and turned the match into a real battle. By the time HT arrived, La Liga’s reigning champions hadn’t even managed a shot on goal despite their possession and free-kicks. Their lack of ideas in that time was epitomised by Antonio Rüdiger and Federico Valverde smashing speculative efforts comfortably off target. Continuing to defend determinedly, Mallorca also carved their visitors open early in the second period, although Kang-in Lee overhit his pass through for Rodríguez.
Having been goaded before and throughout the game, Vinícius Júnior earned the visitors’ biggest chance before the hour mark, when he reached a long ball first before being caught by Predrag Rajković. However, the Serbian atoned for his error with a superb save to deny Marco Asensio’s penalty. On a rare occasion the visitors were afforded space in an attacking area, David Alaba picked out Rodrygo with a cross, only for the Brazilian to fail to get a convincing connection on his header.
Mariano Diaz and Rüdiger came agonisingly close in the latter stages, but Mallorca hung on to secure a fourth consecutive home league win, taking Los Piratas to within one point of the three teams directly above them. Meanwhile, Real’s five-match unbeaten run in all competitions came to an end, as they offered Barcelona the opportunity to go eight points ahead atop the table when they meet Sevilla later in the day.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Antonio Raíllo (Mallorca)