Real Madrid Stunned by Mallorca in La Liga

Real Madrid are in danger of being relegated to the Europa League and a loss to the newly-promoted Real Mallorca is not helping matters. The team lost 1-0, with a goal from Junior Lago in the 7th minute, being the only goal

The last time a Madrid team lost a league game at San Moix, it was in 2006, with a team comprising of Zinedine Zidane, David Beckham and Robinho. 13 years down the line, it was deja vu for Mallorca, courtesy Junior Lago in the first half.

Right back Alvaro Odriozola allowed Lago too much room, and Mallorca took the lead. Things got progressively worse as Odriozola was sent off in the 74th minute. As a result, Madrid’s attempts at a comeback took a massive nosedive as they were reduced to 10.

“The problem is we have to show every three days that we are good,” Real coach Zidane said. “That is what we don’t do. We have to be consistent. We have to put more life into our game if we want to achieve anything this year.”

Up until then, the Galacticos had been steadily rebuilding itself, but the 1-0 defeat throws a spanner in the works. In addition to that, arch-rivals, FC Barcelona appears to be gathering pace, via a 3-0 win away at Eibar with goals from Messi, Suarez and Griezmann.

Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid were held by Valencia as a brilliant Dani Parejo free-kick earned the visitors a hard-earned 1-1 draw at the Wanda Metropolitano.

So, Barca will finish the weekend top of the table for the first time this season. This will be a massive boost for the defending champions after a slow start to their season.

For Real Madrid, five games unbeaten and three of them victories had not erased the doubts. but at least seemed to offer evidence Zidane’s team were turning a corner.

But Mallorca, who climb to 14th, deserved their triumph in what is their first season back in the top flight since relegation ended a run of 16 consecutive years there in 2013.

Lago collected the ball on the left in the seventh minute, drove at the retreating Odriozola before cutting inside and unleashing a shot into the far corner.

Madrid lacked purpose and cutting edge, with their hopes all but dashed when Odriozola capped a miserable night by flying in late on Lago in the 74th minute and collecting a second yellow card.

Zidane will hope to have at least one of the injured Luke Modric, Gareth Bale and Toni Kroos back for their crucial Champions League group match away at Galatasaray on Tuesday.