Kylian Mbappe was left pissed off on his Real Madrid La Liga debut on Sunday as a resilient Real Mallorca held the Spanish and European champions to a 1-1 draw of their title defence opener. The French famous person was thwarted by Mallorca goalkeeper Dominik Greif and after Rodrygo Goes despatched Madrid forward early on the hosts levelled within the second half by way of Vedat Muriqi’s towering header. Madrid’s star-studded facet struggled to interrupt down Mallorca, who got here nearer to profitable the sport within the last phases at Son Moix stadium.
Los Blancos defender Ferland Mendy was despatched off in stoppage time for a excessive problem on Muriqi.
“We went forward, we had possibilities to attain the second, after which within the second half we lacked stability,” Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti instructed reporters.
“We conceded counter-attacks, it was not a very good recreation, it was fairly a transparent recreation to see that we have to defend higher and have higher stability on the pitch.”
Ancelotti chosen the identical beginning line-up which defeated Atalanta to win the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday, with Jude Bellingham in midfield behind the Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo attacking line.
Mbappe scored in that victory however the former Paris Saint-Germain ahead was unable to have a good time his first match in his new homeland with one other aim.
Ancelotti was not impressed together with his workforce’s work-rate.
“We need to do higher, with extra perspective,” continued the Italian coach.
“This recreation can serve us to study lots from, it is a recreation the place it was fairly clear the place we had an issue.
“Mallorca had an excellent recreation in a defensive sense, higher than us.”
Mallorca coach Jagoba Arrasate was going through his first match accountable for the Copa del Rey runners-up and couldn’t have requested for a harder problem on paper than the reigning champions, bolstered by Mbappe’s arrival.
However, his workforce rose to the problem and earned a creditable level.
Madrid, who misplaced simply as soon as final season as they marched convincingly to the title, began rapidly and took the lead after a slick mixture between their Brazilian forwards.
Vinicius rolled the ball backwards for Rodrygo to gather within the space and the winger bent a shot into the far nook, past the attain of Greif.
The goalkeeper tipped away one other Rodrygo effort and Mbappe despatched an effort huge as Madrid stayed on prime however couldn’t increase upon their benefit.
Arrasate urged his gamers to remain within the recreation till half-time and so they duly obliged, shutting down Los Blancos’ array of stars.
‘So lovely’
Muriqi got here shut earlier than the break for the hosts and tough-tackling defender Pablo Maffeo was booked for an unpleasant problem on Vinicius.
Mallorca levelled early within the second half with burly Kosovo goal man Muriqi powering a header house from Dani Rodriguez’s nook.
Greif saved low from Mbappe at his close to put up and Vinicius lashed over as Ancelotti’s facet sought to regain the lead.
Ancelotti despatched on veteran Luka Modric, who turns 39 in September, for defensive midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, seeking extra fluidity in assault towards Mallorca’s bunkered-in defence.
Mbappe got here shut once more however Greif denied him as soon as extra and Johan Mojica hacked the rebound to security earlier than Rodrygo may attain it.
Mallorca stabilised and held their very own within the last phases to go away Mbappe dissatisfied on his league debut.
Madrid’s frustration confirmed in Mendy’s wild hack at Muriqi which earned him a straight pink card.
“I’m so drained nevertheless it was price it, it was so necessary to get a degree towards a workforce like Madrid, possibly the most effective on the earth,” mentioned Muriqi.
“I’ve to be trustworthy, scoring towards Madrid is so lovely.”
(This story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
