Liga: Antonio Rüdiger delivers Real Madrid against Mallorca!

For its first meeting of the year 2024, Real Madrid had the chance to welcome its public to Santiago-Benarbéu to face Mallorca, as part of the 19th day of La Liga. Casa Blanca had the opportunity to temporarily widen the gap with its runner-up, Girona, with whom it shared the same number of points before this day which it overtook in the standings thanks to its favorable goal difference. To confirm this throne of leader before the Catalans’ deadline, later in the evening against Atlético de Madrid (9:15 p.m.), the Merengues took advantage of the return of Vinicius Jr, injured with the selection in mid-November and forfeited since month and a half, which was associated with Rodrygo and Jude Bellingham.

The English midfielder, top scorer in the championship before this match (13 goals), was also the author of the first interesting opportunity on the home side, but his diving header at the near post was calmly captured by Predrag Rajković (13th). Behind, the Brazilian striker, back on the field, was also active on his left lane and offered himself some interesting opportunities, without deceiving the vigilance of the former Reims goalkeeper (20th, 37th). In the other area, Andriy Lunin was not the most reassuring in his goals, even if he came to intervene in front of Antonio Sanchez’s cross (23rd). Behind, the Ukrainian goalkeeper was even happy to see the head of the same Majorcan shake his crossbar before seeing the ball bounce in front of his line (42nd).

Majorca dangerous

Upon returning from the locker room, Javier Aguirre’s flock did not give up and felt that a gap could be created in the Madrid rearguard. After the well-placed free kick but just above the crossbar from Rajkovic (53rd), the RCD hit Lunin’s woods a second time with a low and powerful strike from Samu Costa (54th). An unexpected dynamic which forced Carlo Ancelotti to remove Vinicius Jr, perhaps too short physically after several failed meetings, to bring in Brahim Diaz, in order to keep this offensive madness in the company of Bellingham and Rodrygo. The latter was not really dangerous in the opponent’s zone of truth, apart from a completely missed recovery after the hour mark (62nd). But the entrants, for their part, managed to worry the red defensive block.

In a great action from Madrid, between Joselu’s pivotal play and Rodrygo’s curl, Brahim threw himself on the ball with a helmet strike which hit the opposing left post before passing in front of Rajkovic’s line (69th). Seeing Real gaining strength throughout the second half, Mallorca fell back on the field and operated on the counterattack to achieve a victory that had eluded them in the capital for 14 years (3-1, May 24, 2009). The flash of genius finally came from a corner, with Antonio Rüdiger’s header clearing the left corner (1-0, 78th). Despite some attacks in transition from the visitors, Real Madrid won at home and became the sole leader of La Liga before the clash between Catalans and Colchoneros. Mallorca remains close to the relegation zone with its 14th place and even sees Celta de Vigo, winner of Real Betis at the same time, exit the relegation zone thanks to a victory snatched in added time of the second half (2-1, Aspas (16th) and Swedberg (90+6th) for Celta / Ruibal (6th) for Betis).