Mallorca's quest for improvements starts with a difficult challenge against Laliga's record champions

Mallorca's quest for improvements starts with a difficult challenge against Laliga's record champions

Eric Munene • Eric Munene • 08:58 - 17.08.2024

Real Madrid open their season with an away match at Son Moix.

Mallorca will host Real Madrid at Son Moix, marking the beginning of what promises to be an intriguing campaign for both sides.

With significant changes and fresh ambitions, this match offers plenty of storylines to watch.

After finishing in 15th place last season with a record of 8 wins, 16 draws, and 14 losses, Mallorca is eager to make strides in the upcoming campaign.

The team’s performance in pre-season was encouraging, with an impressive record of 6 wins and 1 draw.

However, the squad is undergoing a transformation with the departure of goalkeeper Predrag Rajković to Saudi Arabia and the arrival of former Osasuna boss Jagoba Arrasate, who has taken over from Javier Aguirre.

Despite the positive pre-season results, there were incidents that raised concerns about team discipline.

A notable scuffle occurred during a 1-0 victory over West Brom, sparked by Samú Costa's foul on Jayson Molumby.

With Mallorca having been one of the six La Liga teams to receive over 100 cards last season, they will need to improve their discipline to avoid unnecessary setbacks.

Real Madrid, on the other hand, will arrive in Mallorca with a sense of invincibility after a successful pre-season and the acquisition of new talent.

The team recently lifted the UEFA Super Cup with a 2-0 win over Atalanta, with Kylian Mbappé marking his arrival with a goal. The addition of Endrick further strengthens an already formidable squad.

Los Blancos are the reigning Spanish and European champions and have remained unbeaten in competitive matches since mid-January, with a record of 19 wins and 8 draws.

Their formidable form included a remarkable finish to last season, where they scored four goals in three of their last five La Liga away games.

Despite this impressive run, Real Madrid experienced a rare defeat at Son Moix in February 2023, losing 1-0, which will serve as a reminder to avoid complacency.

Players to watch aside from the obvious Mbappe

For Mallorca, Sergi Darder is a crucial player to watch. He scored in two of Mallorca’s final three games last season, with both goals coming after the 60th minute, showcasing his ability to make an impact in critical moments.

On the other side, Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham is expected to shine. After an outstanding debut season where he directly contributed to 25 goals in La Liga (19 goals, 6 assists), Bellingham will be eager to continue his excellent form and further cement his place as one of the league’s top performers.

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