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Real Madrid stifled in 1-0 loss to Mallorca

By Ernesto Hernandez

Marco Asensio reacts during the match between RCD Mallorca and Real Madrid CF at Visit Mallorca Estadi on February 05, 2023 in Mallorca, Spain. (Photo by Rafa Babot/Getty Images)
Marco Asensio reacts during the match between RCD Mallorca and Real Madrid CF at Visit Mallorca Estadi on February 05, 2023 in Mallorca, Spain. (Photo by Rafa Babot/Getty Images) /
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Mallorca players celebrate after defeating Real Madrid at the Estadi Mallorca Son Moix on Sunday. (Photo by Cristian Trujillo/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
Mallorca players celebrate after defeating Real Madrid at the Estadi Mallorca Son Moix on Sunday. (Photo by Cristian Trujillo/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images) /

Nothing went right for Real Madrid as Los Blancos fell 1-0 away to Mallorca. The lone goal came courtesy of an own goal by Nacho in the first half.

“It happens in football, I went for it with my head and it went in,” Nacho said after the game. “We had the penalty, a clear chance, we couldn’t put it away. It’s a shame, three lost points.

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Real Madrid were without Eder Militao and Karim Benzema and they certainly could have used both as Mallorca’s sporadic attempts forward caused them trouble on more than one occasion. Not much more has to be said as their attack struggled without the Frenchman.

They were dealt more bad injury news prior to the game as Thibaut Courtois picked up an injury as well and had to be replaced.

Mallorca were organized well in defense and crowded Vinicius Jr. whenever the Brazilian made contact with the ball. Their constant pestering left Vinicius Jr. befuddled and led to a booking before the end of the half. The Mallorca defense certainly got in his head and he was very animated toward the referee at the end of the half. He was fortunate to not pick up a second yellow card in the process.

As much as Madrid tried to find an equalizer, they simply couldn’t get past Mallorca to create clear goal-scoring opportunities. Their best chance came after Mallorca keeper Predrag Rajković brought down Vinicius Jr. and Madrid were awarded a penalty. Marco Asensio stepped up to take it only to see his effort blocked.

Madrid never got closer and only mustered a couple of half chances off desperate crosses.

“They scored early and then it was difficult, a lot of fouls, the game stopping a lot, players going down. But the team played until the end, we deserved to draw, we missed the penalty, we created chances in tight spaces, but we played our game,” Ancelotti said.

Potentially, those 3 points could prove massive depending on the result between Barcelona and Sevilla. Should the Catalans win, they could move 8 points above Real Madrid in the league table.

Next. Barcelona draw Real Madrid in Copa del Rey semifinals. dark

Madrid now take some time off from LaLiga as their next game is in the Club World Cup where they will face off against Al Ahly on Wednesday.

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