Madrid confirmed the winter leadership after beating Mallorca at the Bernabéu thanks to a goal from Rüdiger in the 78th minute in a rough and tough match, without any shine. For the whites, who already beat Alavés in the last game of the year with poor play and a goal in the last minute, the Christmas break has not been good at all.
The match was the return of Vinícius, who had not played since his injury with Brazil on November 18, and the Brazilian capitalized on all of his team’s attacking play while he was on the field for an hour. Even lacking rhythm, he was the recognizable Brazilian he always was; sometimes a stiletto and constantly demanding that the referee make his decisions, which angered the Bernabéu from very early on.
With Lunin in goal, Ancelotti brought out the expected eleven. Tchouaméni was the improvised center back who accompanied Rüdiger when Nacho was suspended. Modric and Kroos continued in the midfield, as if the years had not passed and Rodrygo was next to Vinícius at the top. Rodrygo received tough tackles and didn’t contribute much.
Rodrygo’s problem is that in very close matches, when it is convenient to go practical and score directly, he insists on flourishes as if he were Maradona. Against a defense as robust as Mallorca’s, that was giving the opponent many advantages.
The first half was played at the pace that Mallorca wanted. Madrid did not know how to give speed or fluidity to the game and the first 45 minutes were a mess, with hardly any chances, except for a couple of shots by Vinícius and little else by the locals. Mallorca made little contact with the opposing team, but had the clearest chance, a header from Antonio Sánchez that hit the crossbar and bounced over the line.
The second half began and Madrid did not show any signs of improvement. Quite the contrary, it was more difficult for them to have the ball and the Balearic team moved freely. Rarely had it been so calm at the Bernabéu. In fact, he was even able to go ahead on the scoreboard with a long shot from Samu Costa that went to the base of the post.
After a quarter of an hour Ancelotti removed Vinícius, who had not done anything in the second half, for Brahim, the main victim of the Brazilian’s ownership.
Joselu then came on for Kroos and Madrid cheered up. In ’69 he had his best chance. Rajkovic made a save for Rodrygo and on the rebound, Brahim headed into the post into an empty net.
The game entered the final stretch with Mallorca deep in the area, just waiting for the minutes to pass. Aguirre refreshed his team with three changes. And then, in the 78th minute, when the Bernabéu began to see it in Chinese, the goal fell to Mallorca in an unusual way, a corner kick from Modric in the heart of the area and a header from Rüdiger acting as Sergio Ramos.
There were just over ten minutes left and Madrid dedicated themselves to protecting the goal like a treasure. Ancelotti removed Modric, already very tired, for Ceballos, and Rodrygo, for Lucas Vázquez. Modric, upon leaving, received the ovation of the afternoon. A warning for Florentino Pérez, who is not very keen to renew him.
Mallorca drew strength from their weakness to advance their lines and go for the tie. Madrid retreated and knew how to hold on without suffering until the end, a victory more the result of effort than of talent and good football. He sleeps as winter champion, an honorary title only.