Real Madrid’s third game of the La Liga campaign brings them back home to the Santiago Bernabeu stadium where they will lock horns against Mallorca tomorrow night.
Los Blancos have got off to a flying start to the new season, especially after taking home two wins in their first two games of the season.
Their opponents on the night, Mallorca, however, have not had as much luck. They began their season with a gutting defeat to Hansi Flick’s Barcelona before dropping points once more against Celta Vigo.
Tomorrow’s game will thus be a crucial one for both teams, as one attempts to turn the tide while the other strives to ride with it.
Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs Mallorca.
Vinicius to start?
Xabi Alonso made a massive statement when he released the lineup for Real Madrid’s clash against Real Oviedo last weekend, for it involved Vinicius Jr. starting on the bench on the night.
The Brazilian phenom’s track record has indeed been poor over the past year, specifically since he was snubbed of the Ballon d’Or, for he has struggled to decide games as he once used to.
In fact, he has been a shadow of himself even in pre-season and in the first league game of the season, giving Alonso the right to bench him and emphasising the fact that no player is a guaranteed starter unless they earn it.
Coming off the bench that night, however, Vinicius made a strong statement and racked up a goal and an assist in less than half an hour on the field with one key pass and a shot blocked as well.
The player’s performance coming off the bench, needless to say, gives the manager enough ground to hand him another start tomorrow night and it remains to be seen what Vinicius can make of the opportunity.
The right-back situation
Trent Alexander-Arnold arrived at Real Madrid this summer hoping to carry forward the legacy of the right-back position at the club, especially after a season where the men in white seriously struggled in the department.
Unfortunately, however, his arrival coincided with the time Dani Carvajal returned from injury and it is no secret that the veteran is seen as the best fit for the system by the manager.
Despite just returning to complete fitness, Carvajal came on for the final 20 minutes of Real Madrid’s first La Liga game of the season and then went on to deliver a great performance in his first start of the campaign the following week.
After his strong showing against Real Oviedo, Carvajal makes a strong case to continue as Los Blancos’ de facto starting right-back for the coming games and perhaps the season ahead.
Keeping Trent on the bench after the sacrifices he made to arrive, however, also will not sit well and the manager thus has to find a fix over deciding the future of the right-back position.
Tomorrow night, it will thus be interesting to see which of the two players Alonso opts to hand the start – the seasoned stalwart or the determined newcomer. A massive decision awaits.
A rock-solid defensive record
Xabi Alonso’s system is indeed heavily demanding on players, especially the midfield and forward departments who now have to control games instead of relying on moments of brilliance.
The defence, however, has seemingly adapted seamlessly to the new dynamics in play at the Spanish capital and the numbers speak volumes about the same.
Los Blancos have kept two clean sheets in two games and are thus yet to concede in the competition this season.
A massive part of that is the team’s high press which is reflected by the fact that they have recovered the ball 84 times in the opposition half – more than any other team in Spain.
With just eight shots attempted against them across the last 180 minutes and just three on target, it is clear that they have been very sound in defence and that they will strive to continue the same tomorrow night.
Taking to the field against a naturally attack-oriented team in Mallorca, Real Madrid will look to extend their defensive record and prove that they are the team to beat defensively. After all, the opponents lined up are significantly trickier than the previous two.