Three talking points ahead of Mallorca vs Real Madrid

After an enthralling 3-3 draw against Manchester City in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League quarterfinal tie, Real Madrid are set to return to action in La Liga tomorrow.

Los Blancos take the trip to the Island of Mallorca where they will engage in a battle against Javier Aguirre’s well-oiled RCD Mallorca.

Aguirre’s men currently sit in 15th place in La Liga after 30 games, but the league standings do not do justice to the good form they have shown all season.

After all, they are this season’s defeated finalists of Copa del Rey, a competition Real Madrid bid adieu to in the Round of 16.

The last time Los Blancos took on Mallorca, they scraped past with a tight 1-0 win thanks to an Antonio Rudiger strike in the 79th minute. Now playing at the opposition’s fortress, the game will require more grit.

Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Mallorca vs Real Madrid.

A virtual finale

Real Madrid have always been one to prioritise the UEFA Champions League over any other competition in the calendar year. After all, the European competition represents the pinnacle of football and is the peak Los Blancos strive to conquer.

The scenario this season, however, is different. Real Madrid have invested a lot into this season’s La Liga campaign and are deservedly leaders in the same. They have seldom faltered in the competition, and have only suffered one defeat in 30 games.

With eight games to go, they boast of an eight-point lead over Barcelona, but with El Clasico just around the corner, there is still tangible danger. The weekend’s clash against Mallorca, thus, is crucial as the men in white cannot afford to drop points.

As revealed earlier this week, the Real Madrid camp see the game at Son Moix to be a potential final and are completely invested in getting all three points.

Their situation in the UEFA Champions League and the all-important second leg next week is not playing on their mind and will not affect the team’s plan in any manner.

“The whole squad will be available and the priority is tomorrow, not Manchester. We have a lot at stake but like all teams. We remain confident and tomorrow is vital,” Carlo Ancelotti said in his pre-match press conference, after all.

Rotating in moderation

While indeed Real Madrid will look to go all out against Javier Aguirre’s side, it is inevitable that Ancelotti will mildly rotate his squad in view of the second leg against Manchester City.

Ancelotti to rotate his troops vs Mallorca. (Photo by PIERRE-PHILIPPE MARCOU/AFP via Getty Images)

After all, the Italian gaffer has high-quality options on his bench who can take over on the field with minimal reduction in quality on the field.

For starters, one can expect Joselu to take Rodrygo’s place in attack on the night, especially given that the Brazilian sensation did not train with the team today after sustaining a knock.

Vinicius Jr, meanwhile, will start in all likelihood as the 23-year-old is the team’s single most important resource in attack.

Moving to midfield, Brahim Diaz could well take Jude Bellingham’s place at Son Moix, killing two birds with one stone.

Not only will his inclusion give the English star a chance to rest before the second leg but also provide Diaz himself an audition to make his case as a starter against Pep Guardiola’s side.

Luka Modric could take Toni Kroos’ spot in the starting lineup, and it would not be a bad idea for the manager to give Arda Guler a run as a starter on the night. Aurelien Tchouameni, given his suspension for the reverse fixture, will play as the pivot.

Nacho, who was benched in the last game, could return to the lineup alongside Eder Militao in central defence. Finally, Lucas Vazquez and Fran Garcia would replace Daniel Carvajal and Ferland Mendy respectively.

The Eder Militao factor

The big talking point from the Merengues’ clash against Athletic Club last weekend was the return of Eder Militao from injury.

Coming onto the field of play in stoppage time, the Brazilian received a hero’s welcome from the Bernabeu as he played his first minutes in eight months.

Ancelotti’s initial idea was to incorporate Militao into the team’s dynamics slowly so as to avoid risking a relapse. Now, however, there has been a drastic turn of events.

Tchouameni’s suspension for the return leg against Manchester City places the coach in a tight spot over his central-defensive pairing. After all, he does not trust Nacho to cover the aerial threat against Guardiola’s side.

Militao, thus, is a real option to start against Manchester City, and Ancelotti did not rule out the possibility in his recent press conference.

“I repeat what I said: they are all available and tomorrow I will put out the best team. Militao is also available,” he said, declaring that he had no intention of being cautious with Militao.

It thus remains to be seen to what extent the coach utilises Militao’s services against Mallorca and how fit the Brazilian is in reality. After all, his display tomorrow will go a long way in deciding Real Madrid’s plan against City.