Real Madrid are searching for a third successive La Liga victory at the start of Xabi Alonso’s reign, as they take on Mallorca on Saturday night.
Carlo Ancelotti’s successor was able to utilise the Club World Cup over the summer as a useful starting point to see where his squad was at, but Madrid have so far performed like a side that hasn’t had much of a preseason.
They were pretty flat in their 1–0 win over Osasuna to kick off the campaign, but improvements were on show in a comfortable triumph at Real Oviedo last Sunday. Kylian Mbappé has started his second season with three goals in two games, and Alonso’s first iteration of Los Blancos certainly looks like the Frenchman’s team.
Mallorca haven’t prevailed at the Bernabéu since 2009, so they’re hunting a rare victory on Saturday.
Their campaign got off to the worst possible start when they were reduced to nine men in the first half of their clash with champions Barcelona, and Jagoba Arrasate’s side were beaten 3–0. However, they earned their first point of the season at home to Celta Vigo last time out.
Here is guide to the La Liga clash.
