Kylian Mbappe persevered in a frustrating La Liga debut for Real Madrid on Sunday as a decided Real Mallorca held the reigning Spanish and European champions to a 1-1 draw of their starting lineup of the season.
Despite Mbappe's efforts, he was time and again thwarted by Mallorca's goalkeeper, Dominik Greif. Although Rodrygo Goes gave Madrid an early lead, the hosts equalized in the second half through Vedat Muriqi's effective header. Madrid struggled to break down Mallorca’s resolute defense, with the house aspect even threatening to snatch a win in the last levels at the Son Moix stadium.
Real Madrid's frustration boiled over in stoppage time when defender Ferland Mendy was dispatched off for a high undertaking on Muriqi.
"We took the lead and had opportunities to attain a second intention, but inside the second half , we misplaced our stability," stated Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti. "We allowed counter-attacks, and it became clear that we want to improve our defense and keep higher stability on the pitch."
Ancelotti fielded the equal starting 11 that had secured a UEFA Super Cup victory in opposition to Atalanta just days earlier, with Jude Bellingham in midfield helping the attacking trio of Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Rodrygo. While Mbappe found the internet in that Super Cup win, he could not reflect the feat in his first La Liga look.
"We need to do higher, with more willpower," Ancelotti endured. "This game is a mastering opportunity—it highlighted precisely where we had problems. Mallorca defended higher than we did."
Jagoba Arrasate, in his first fit as Mallorca's head coach, confronted a frightening venture on paper, taking over the reigning champions bolstered by way of Mbappe’s arrival. However, his crew rose to the occasion and secured a difficult-earned factor.
Real Madrid, who misplaced just one league game en route to the title, commenced brightly and took the lead thru a well-completed pass among their Brazilian attackers. Vinicius installation Rodrygo, who curled a shot into the far nook beyond Greif’s attainment.
Although Madrid managed a whole lot of the primary 1/2, they were not able to feature to their lead. Greif denied Rodrygo once more, and Mbappe missed the target with a close-variety attempt. Arrasate's instructions to his gamers to stay targeted until halftime paid off, as Mallorca contained Madrid’s superstar-studded lineup.
Before the ruin, Muriqi had a risk to attain for Mallorca, and defender Pablo Maffeo received a yellow card for a rough assignment on Vinicius. Early inside the second 1/2, Muriqi made amends through heading in a nook from Dani Rodriguez, leveling the rating for Mallorca.
As Madrid driven for a winner, Greif stored some other effort from Mbappe, and Vinicius sent a shot over the bar. In an try and release Mallorca’s protection, Ancelotti introduced on veteran Luka Modric for Aurelien Tchouameni, hoping for extra creativity in assault.
Mbappe endured to threaten however became denied once more with the aid of Greif, who also prevented Rodrygo from capitalizing on a rebound. Mallorca held company inside the very last minutes, leaving Mbappe frustrated in his La Liga debut.
Madrid's infection culminated in Mendy's reckless foul on Muriqi, resulting in a instantly purple card.
Reflecting at the suit, Muriqi stated, "I'm exhausted, but it became well worth it. Earning a factor towards a group like Madrid, possibly the exceptional within the global, is especially satisfying. Scoring in opposition to them is an amazing feeling."
