La Liga 2024-25: Real Madrid denied perfect start to title defense

On Sunday, Real Madrid's La Liga debut left Kylian Mbappe feeling let down. Tenacious Real Mallorca held the reigning Spanish and European champions to a 1-1 draw in the first match of Real Madrid's championship defence.

After Rodrygo Goes put Madrid up early on, the hosts equalized in the second half via Vedat Muriqi's stunning header; nevertheless, the French superstar was denied by Mallorca goalkeeper Dominik Greif.

Mallorca, despite fielding a star-studded Madrid squad, came close to defeating Madrid in the game's closing minutes at Son Moix Stadium.

In the last seconds of regulation time, Ferland Mendy, a defender for Los Blancos, was sent off for a strong challenge on Muriqi.

"We went ahead, we had chances to score the second, and then in the second half we lacked balance," Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti told reporters.

"We conceded counter-attacks, it was not a good game, it was quite a clear game to see that we need to defend better and have better balance on the pitch."

With Jude Bellingham beginning in midfield behind the attacking trio of Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Rodrygo, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti was stuck with the same starting lineup that won the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday against Atalanta.

On paper, the defending champion, buoyed by Mbappe's arrival, posed the greatest challenge to Mallorca coach Jagoba Arrasate, who was making his debut with the Copa del Rey runners-up.

But they were up to the task, and they got a respectable point.

After a swift start and a goal scored by one of their Brazilian attackers, Madrid, who lost just once all season on route to a dominant title run, seized the lead.

As soon as Vinicius sent the ball backwards, Rodrygo was there to receive it, and the winger bent a shot that went far enough to beat Greif.

Madrid maintained possession but were unable to convert their lead into further scoring opportunities. Mbappe missed the target, and the goalie saved another Rodrygo shot.

After halftime, Arrasate's guys stayed in the game and shut down Los Blancos' star-studded offence, just as he had hoped.

Before halftime, the home team's Muriqi came dangerously near, and Vinicius was booked for a nasty tackle by tough-tackling defender Pablo Maffeo.

Muriqi, a powerful striker for Kosovo, levelled the score for Mallorca early in the second half after meeting a corner from Dani Rodriguez with a powerful header.

As Ancelotti's squad strove to reclaim the lead, Vinicius slashed over, and Greif made a low stop from Mbappe at the near post.

To try to increase the team's offensive fluidity against Mallorca's defended defence, Ancelotti substituted 34-year-old Luka Modric for Aurelien Tchouameni, a defensive midfielder who will be 39 in September.

Once again, Mbappe was denied by Greif, and Johan Mojica skillfully snatched the rebound to keep it out of Rodrygo's hands.

In Mbappe's league debut, he was let down since Mallorca levelled up and finished the game strong.

Madrid's anger was on full display as Mendy received a straight red card for a reckless hack at Muriqi.

According to Muriqi, "I'm so tired but it was worth it." Earning a point against a club like Madrid—possibly the greatest in the world—was crucial.

"I have to be honest, scoring against Madrid is so beautiful."

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