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Real Madrid 4-1 Mallorca: Player ratings
Barcelona’s win over Cadiz on Saturday put them provisionally on top of the league standings and only a win for Real Madrid would see them leapfrog their arch-rivals. In theory, a win over Mallorca should have been easy but Real Madrid suffered against them on Sunday.
Carlo Ancelotti fielded a heavily rotated lineup with the likes of Eden Hazard, Dani Ceballos, Antonio Rudiger and Lucas Vazquez receiving starts.
The hosts had the better chances in the first half but could not make the most of them. Despite Real Madrid dominating the proceedings, it was Mallorca who took the early lead through Vedat Muriqi.
But Federico Valverde scored a screamer to send both teams on level terms into half-time. And the hosts came back with an explosive second half to blow away the opposition. Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Rudiger all got on the scoresheet as they ran away to a 4-1 win.
Madrid Universal brings you the player ratings from Sunday’s game.
Thibaut Courtois: 7
Not much he could do about the opener, did well to keep his team in the game by making a crucial save in the opening minutes.
Lucas Vasquez: 7.5
The Spanish international was a lively presence on the right flank and was regularly involved in the buildup sequences with Valverde and Rodrygo. Defensively, he was calm and composed and did well to contain Kang-in Lee.
Antonio Rudiger: 7
Not his best defensive performance. Often allowed the visitors into the box from the right side, especially for Antonio Sanchez’s chance in the second half. However, he got his first goal for the club with a neat finish in the final minute of the game.
David Alaba: 7
Was the better of the two centre-backs but still far from his best.
Ferland Mendy: 3.5
A poor first half with an unnecessary yellow card. The Frenchman was ball-watching during Mallorca’s opener and looked lost in the final third. The second half was better, but it is clear why Ancelotti does not see him as a long-term solution.
Federico Valverde: 9
Valverde was everywhere on the field – winning balls, orchestrating the play and challenging the opponents’ goal. He can take complete credit for the team’s equaliser in the final minute of the first half as he took the ball across the field and hammered it beyond the reach of Rajkovic by himself.
Toni Kroos: 8
Silently carried the team through the middle of the park and acted like the adhesive that kept the side together. Completed over 100 passes and played well in the role of a pivot.
Dani Ceballos: 8
The Spaniard was given a rare start by Ancelotti and he took his chance with both hands. He was Real Madrid’s most important midfielder on the afternoon with his press resistance and incisive passes. Often, it was his final ball that led to direct chances on the goal.
Rodrygo: 9
A constant threat in the final third and had several chances to score himself. Eventually got the assist for Vinicius’ goal with some calm control under pressure.
His best moment in the game came in the penultimate minute of regulation time as he ran past the Mallorca defence and scored a wonder goal.
Eden Hazard: 6
Made his presence felt with some tight pass sequences in the opposition box. Yet, he was still invisible for large periods of the game.
Vinicius Jr: 9
The Brazilian oozed confidence and toyed around with Mallorca’s defenders on numerous occasions. However, it was not his best performance in front of the goal in the first half. Later in the day, however, he changed that with a well-worked finish to give Real Madrid a 2-1 lead.
Substitutes
Luka Modric: 7.5
Came on in the 60th minute and immediately took over the reins in midfield. Seemingly created a chance almost every time he touched the ball. Once again showed the world why he is the best in the business.
Nacho Fernandez: 6
Did what was needed of him after replacing Mendy.
Eduardo Camavinga: 6
Came in, completed all his passes and won all his duels.
Dani Carvajal: 7
Came on to replace Vazquez and did exceedingly well to fortify Real Madrid’s right wing. Also got the assist for Rodrygo’s goal.
Real Madrid made a mess of their game against Elche last night, and it is clear that the men in white have several flaws with no answers at the moment.
From being 2-0 up, the men in white bottled their lead and threw the game into jeopardy by permitting Elche to score two goals. The result, as many saw it, was set to end in a draw.
With some persistent attacks in the dying minutes, however, Real Madrid managed to build pressure on Elche and eventually scored one more goal at the death to take home the three points.
Needless to say, however, the negatives from the game far outweigh the positive news of the three points.
Madrid Universal brings you three takeaways from Elche 2-3 Real Madrid.
Another second-half collapse
After Real Madrid’s win over Rayo Vallecano at the weekend, Jose Mourinho stressed the fact that Real Madrid actually played only one half and that the fatigue began showing after the break.
On the night, the opposition began to enjoy more dominance and create chances after half-time as they outran and outpressed Los Blancos to good effect.
Last night was no different, and the second half went completely awry.
The men in white entered the half-time break cruising with a 2-0 lead and significant dominance over the proceedings. They had a massive xG, with Elche barely creating any chances of note.
After the break, however, the entire dynamic of the game changed as Real Madrid took a step back and handed the impetus to the hosts. Pressing high and attacking without fear, Elche dominated Real Madrid for most of the second half and had a staggering 60% of possession.
They scored twice – in the 71st and 83rd minutes – and equalised Real Madrid on the night. Given the visitors’ shambolic display, it was deserved for Elche.
At this point, the constant second-half collapses and fatigue struggles of the team after just 45 minutes of action must worry Jose Mourinho immensely. Heading into a derby away from home, Real Madrid have to do much better.
The away curse continues
While Real Madrid’s form at home has been imperious this season, their form away from home has been equally shocking.
They began their season with a last-minute win over Espanyol, and their second league game of the season on the road came against Real Betis and ended in defeat.
Heading into their third away game last night, there was an element of worry about how they would perform, and the trend continued once more.
Real Madrid did well to take the lead on the night, but they made the second half a massive war and far more difficult than it should have been.
At this point, serious questions have to be raised about Real Madrid’s form on the road and their inability to keep games under control when playing in away stadiums.
Heading forward in the season, Los Blancos have some massive away games coming up against far more difficult opposition. The Madrid derby is up next, and the team’s form is nothing promising heading into that fixture.
Carlos Espi saves the day… again!
Real Madrid are currently on 15 points after six games in the league, but Carlos Espi has directly contributed to a massive chunk of that.
If not for the new Spanish striker’s ability to come up clutch in big moments, Real Madrid could well have been on just 11 points at this stage in the season, and the four points he has added are absolutely crucial.
Against Espanyol, it was Espi who scored a stoppage-time winner to hand Real Madrid all three points after a complicated match. Last night, he repeated the same heroics once more.
With the team staring at a draw, the new signing was at the right place at the right time to bury Kylian Mbappe’s assist in stoppage time, handing Real Madrid all three points at the death.
He may not have played a large part on the night, but his cameo was again powerful and it is clear that he elevates the team’s attack and provides new solutions in front of goal. Espi has already proven his talent, and his ability to perform under pressure is what makes him special.
