Real Madrid Struggles in Draw Against Mallorca

In their opening match of the La Liga season, Real Madrid faced a challenging encounter against Mallorca, ultimately settling for a 1-1 draw. Despite taking an early lead, Madrid's performance raised questions about their defensive structure, particularly in how it relied on the athleticism of key players like Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde. Mallorca's equalizer, a powerful header from Vedat Muriqi, underscored the vulnerabilities in Madrid's out-of-possession shape. Madrid dominated possession, recording 368 touches in the left third, significantly more than any other team on the opening matchday. Their attacking strategy, characterized by fluid movement and combinations, was evident as players like Kylian Mbappe, Bellingham, and Vinicius Jr. worked together to create scoring opportunities. Ancelotti's approach, described as "relationist," emphasizes creative freedom, allowing players to instinctively combine in dangerous areas. However, the match also revealed gaps in Madrid's midfield and defensive coordination. Ancelotti acknowledged the need for one winger to occupy the space, but his lack of a specific plan raised concerns about the team's overall structure. The defense struggled to cope with direct attacks, conceding four sequences that led to shots on goal, a statistic not seen since the end of the 2021-22 season. As Madrid looks to refine their tactics, the balance between offensive creativity and defensive solidity will be crucial in their pursuit of success this season.