In a highly anticipated La Liga debut, Kylian Mbappé couldn't find the back of the net as Real Madrid settled for a 1-1 draw against Mallorca on Sunday. ⚽️
Fresh off his midweek heroics in the UEFA Super Cup against Atalanta, where he scored in a 2-0 victory, Mbappé was looking to make a splash in his first Spanish league appearance. But despite the hype, the French superstar and his teammates couldn't clinch the win.
Real Madrid started strong, with Rodrygo putting Los Blancos ahead just 13 minutes into the match. The dynamic trio of Rodrygo, Vinícius Júnior, and Mbappé kept Mallorca's defense on their toes, but the hosts stood firm.
Coach Carlo Ancelotti stuck with the same lineup that triumphed midweek, emphasizing the fluidity between Vinícius and Mbappé. \"They switch positions now and then,\" Ancelotti explained. \"Sometimes Mbappé plays centrally, and sometimes they drift wider. It's all about how they feel in the moment.\"
But Mallorca wasn't backing down. Vedat Muriqi leveled the score in the 53rd minute, sending the home fans into a frenzy. Real's defense seemed shaky, and things took a turn for the worse when Ferland Mendy saw red in stoppage time after a tough challenge on Muriqi. 🟥
\"We started well, took the lead, and had chances for a second goal,\" reflected Ancelotti. \"But we lost our balance in the second half. We need to defend better. We're an attacking team, but defense is crucial.\"
The match had some star-studded support from the stands, with tennis legend Rafael Nadal, a Mallorca native, cheering on his home team. 🎾🙌
In a classy gesture before kickoff, Mallorca's players formed a guard of honor for Real Madrid, applauding the Super Cup champions as they stepped onto the pitch.
While Madrid fans might be a bit disappointed, there's no doubt Mbappé will be eager to make his mark in upcoming matches. This is just the beginning of an exciting season! 🌟
Reference(s):
Mbappe's La Liga debut ends goalless, Real Madrid draw 1-1 at Mallorca
cgtn.com
