Real Madrid vs Mallorca: Match preview

Real Madrid look to defend their crown as they take on Mallorca in the Spanish Super Cup semi final in Jeddah tonight.

Los Blancos will be boosted by the return of David Alaba in defence, along with youngsters Lorenzo and Diego Aguado also being named in the squad.

Carlo Ancelotti would be delighted with the recent exploits of his players. Defensively, they have been doing better as compared to the start of the season, especially with the emergence of Raul Asencio.

But the youngster has been thin on minutes since Aurelien Tchouaméni’s return with Ancelotti preferring the Frenchman to pair up with Antonio Rüdiger in the centre of the Real Madrid backline.

Fran García is another player who has performed well above expectations but is still not the first choice left-back, with the Italian manager sometimes preferring Eduardo Camavinga in that position over the Spaniard.

Ancelotti must have a selection dilemma ahead of every match because a player like Dani Ceballos deserves to play more based on his recent form. Jude Bellingham has shown his class after a quiet start to the season and Rodrygo is slowly beginning to bloom as well.

Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior are players who possess the ability to turn the game on its head single-handedly and are known to rise to the occasion in such big matches.

Meanwhile, Mallorca qualified for this competition due to them being runner-ups in last season’s Copa Del Rey, following a defeat against Atheltic Bilbao in the final. In the league this season, Mallorca have been impressive as well, sitting on 6th with 9 wins in 19 games.

Cyle Larin has been the Spanish side’s leading goal scorer with 5 goals in 16 matches along with 2 assists. Vedat Muriqi has also been impressive and has mostly made appearances coming off the bench.

Moreover, the versatility and experience of the 36-year-old Dani Rodriguez has done them a world of good. The veteran player who is primarily a midfielder, can also play up front and has recorded 3 goals and 4 assists this season.

Defensively, they are stubborn and the battle between Pablo Maffeo and Vinicius is anticipated to be a cracking one.

Momentum, however, will not be on Mallorca’s side as they were knocked out in the Copa Del Rey by 4th division team, Pontevedra CF by a narrow margin.

The winner of this semi-final will take on FC Barcelona in the final after the Blaugrana secured 0-2 victory against Athletic Bilbao yesterday.

Expect this clash to be an exciting one as Mallorca will look to continue their good form while Real Madrid hope to win consecutive Spanish Super Cups and take their tally to 14.