Real Madrid - Mallorca live online: score, stats and updates, LaLiga 2023-24

The teams are on the way out...who've you got for this one? It's hard to go against Real Madrid, isn't it...?

REAL MADRID

Why isn’t Nacho playing for Real Madrid against Mallorca in LaLiga?

In case you're wondering why midfielderAurélien Tchouaméni is lining up in central defence for Real Madrid against Mallorca, Nacho's unavailability is part of the reason. Here's more. 

Mallorca team to play Real Madrid

Canadian striker Cyle Larin, formerly of Orlando City, starts in attack for Mallorca, for line up with five at the back. 

Rajkovic; Maffeo, González, Raillo, Nastasic, Heyden; Sánchez, Morlanes, Samu, Rodríguez, Larin.

Real Madrid team to play Mallorca: Vinícius returns

Only a few minutes to go until kick-off! Here's the Real Madrid team to face Mallorca, with Vinícius starting on his return from injury. 

Lunin; Carvajal, Tchouaméni, Rüdiger, García; Valverde, Kroos, Modric, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinícius.

Mallorca: last five games

21 December: Mallorca 3-2 Osasuna (LaLiga)

17 December: Almería 0-0 Mallorca (LaLiga)

9 December: Mallorca 1-0 Sevilla (LaLiga)

6 December: Valle Egüés 0-3 Mallorca (Copa del Rey)

3 December: Mallorca 0-0 Alavés (LaLiga)

Real Madrid: last five games

21 December: Alavés 0-1 Real Madrid (LaLiga)

17 December: Real Madrid 4-1 Villarreal (LaLiga)

12 December: Union Berlin 2-3 Real Madrid (Champions League)

9 December: Real Betis 1-1 Real Madrid (LaLiga)

2 December: Real Madrid 2-0 Granada (LaLiga)

Bellingham back at the Bernabéu!

Someone's happy to be back. Real Madrid have scored 18 goals in their last five home matches, although only two have been by Bellingham. 

Mallorca in 2023-24: the season so far

Mallorca won 3-2 at home to Osasuna before the Christmas break, a big result which took them five points clear of the relegation zone. It's been a mixed big for the islanders, who failed to win between 17 September and 9 December but are now on a run of five Games without defeat in LaLiga (six including Copa del Rey). Only two of their 18 LaLiga fixtures has been settled by a winning margin of more than one goal. 

Real Madrid in 2023-24: the season so far

Despite a spate of serious injuries, Real Madrid have been flying for most of 2023-24. 14 wins out of 18 in LaLiga, including a late Clásico victory over Barcelona in Catalonia. Los Blancos are unbeaten in 12 league games, with their only defeat coming to city rivals Atlético Madrid, their only true disappointing result of the season so far. The only surprise is that Girona have kept pace with them at the top. 

In the Champions League, they won all six of their group games to top their group, setting up a round-of-16 tie with RB Leipzig in February. 

Arda Güler could make first Real Madrid appearance!

Arda Güler been a star of Instagram and TikTok rather than the soccer field since moving to Real Madrid, but that could be about to change! The Turk has been the headliner of a number of viral videos thanks to his skills in training but injuries have stopped him from featuring for his "new" club. But he's on the bench to play Mallorca. A new year can only bring new luck for the teeneger. 

Real Madrid's Jude Bellingham looking to repeat 2023 form

Most of us knew Jude Bellingham was a brilliant player, but you're never quite sure how anyone will adapt to moving to one of the world's biggest clubs. Like a duck to water for the England international, who could hardly have dreamt of making a better start. 13 goals in 16 LaLiga games and 17 in 21 in all competitions. And he's not even a forward...

Carlo Ancelotti extends Real Madrid contract

In case you missed it last week, Real Madrid revealed head coach Carlo Ancelotti had agreed a new contract with the club until 2026. Thought he was going to coach Brazil? So did Brazil. 

I've taken the liberty of sharing a couple of different pieces for a bit of pre-game reading, including one in which the Italian himself explains why he's opted to stay put. 

Visit Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu in 2024

I'm not introducing a competition to win tickets, rather advising you to get along to the Bernanéu if at all possible in 2024. A truly amazing place that any soccer fan should tick off the list, IMHO. 

Canada's Cyle Larin starts in attack for Mallorca

Another point of North American interest is that Canadian striker Cyle Larin leads the line for Mallorca at the Bernabeú. Prolific during his time in MLS with Orlando City, the 28-year-old has scored just once in 17 LaLiga games this season. There'd be no better place to add to that tally, though. 

Mexican Javier Aguirre in second full season as Mallorca coach

Mallorca are, of course, coached by Mexican míster Javier Aguirre, who took charge of the club in March 2022, kept them up and then finished ninth in his first full season last term. 

The former Club América and Chivas midfielder is now managing his sixth team in Spain, having also won the CONCACAF Champions League with Monterrey in 2021. 

Mallorca team to play Real Madrid

Mallorca appear to be going with safety numbers in a five-man defence, which includes right-back Pablo Maffeo, who has hand some "interesting" battles with Vinícius in previous Games. One to keep an eye on. 

Rajkovic; Maffeo, González, Raillo, Nastasic, Heyden; Sánchez, Morlanes, Samu, Rodríguez, Larin.

Mallorca: no cream for Bernabéu dream?

I can neither confirm nor deny the presence of cream, Nivea or otherwise, in the Mallorca dressing room, but there's certainly none in shot. That could make all the difference. 

Real Madrid dressing room looks good, smells better

Soccer is all about marginal gains. Could that Nivea cream (other brands are available) be the confidence booster Real Madrid players need to perform out on the field? If you smell good, you play better, right? 

Aurélien Tchouaméni starts in central defence with Rüdiger

So, with only one senior central defender available, what on earth does Carlo Ancelotti do? Well, luckily there's another member of his roster who just absolutely loves filling it at centre-back...(that's sarcasm, by the way). 

Midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni has openly said he pretty much hates playing in central defence but he's prepared to take one for them team against Mallorca. Hurry back, Nacho. 

Nacho suspended after red card in Alavés victory

With Alaba and Militão injured, Carlo Ancelotti will only be able to call upon Antonio Rüdiger in central defence, as Nacho starts the year by serving a one-match suspension. The Madrid club captain was sent off in the narrow victory over Alavés on 21 December, receiving a straight red card (after a VAR check) for trodding on Samu Omorodion’s heel.

That's right, Jose Ignacio, hang that head in shame. 

Alaba, Camavinga, Courtois and Militão are Real Madrid's injury absentees

So, Vinícius is back and Arda Güler could FINALLY be seen in a white shirt (he's on the bench). 

But David Alaba isn't expected to play again until 2024-25 because of an ACL tear, while Eder Militão and Thibaut Courtois face another few months out of action with similar injuries. 

Eduardo Camavinga should at least be back sometime this month after his own knee problems. 

Vinícius' tour of the United States and NBA venues

Not that our man Vini has been out of the limelight. Far from it. He's been on his own personal mini-tour of the United States and NBA venues, during which time he's inked up (again) big time, with Pelé and Kobe Bryant among those who are set to be a part of him forever. He also got a late Christmas gift from none other than Giannis Antetokounmpo, who also called the winger "the number one Brazilian player in the world", which would've been significantly more complimentary if he'd just not said "Brazilian".  

What injury did Real Madrid winger Vinícius have?

We knew there was a good chance Vinícius would be involved against Mallorca, but we didn't necessarily think he was going to start. The winger tore a muscle in his hamstring playing for Brazil against Colombia in a FIFA World Cup 2026 qualifier back on 17 November. After missing seven games (five in LaLiga and two in the Champions League), the 23-year-old is back.

Watch out defences in Spain and beyond. 

How the LaLiga table looks: Mallorca

Not quite as pretty for Mallorca, I’m not going to lie. They’ve finished 16th and ninth in their last two seasons in the Spanish top flight, and they’re somewhere in the middle as it stands. They’re five points clear of the relegation zone and will be looking up the table as well as down, although they’re unlikely to have an easy time of things at the Bernabéu.

How the LaLiga table looks: Real Madrid

A quick glance at the standings suggests Real Madrid are sitting pretty, top of the pile, seven points clear of arch rivals Barcelona. But what’s this? They are on the same number of points as…Girona? Do not adjust your screens, the “other” Catalans have had a superb start to the campaign and host third-placed Atlético Madrid later on Wednesday.

Barça, meanwhile, are in action tomorrow (Thursday) away to Las Palmas. We’ll also have live coverage of that one for you on AS USA. Kick-off is at 3:30 p.m. ET / 12:30 p.m. PT.

Real Madrid team to play Mallorca: Vinícius returns from injury

As is always the case, Carlo Ancelotti has named his team ridiculously early (compared to anyone else), so here goes:

Lunin; Carvajal, Tchouaméni, Rüdiger, García; Valverde, Kroos, Modric, Bellingham; Rodrygo, Vinícius.

Vinícius' first Game back after injury and he's thrown straight in at the deep end!

What time does Real Madrid - Mallorca kick off?

We’ll all have to wait just a little though, as the clash in Madrid gets underway at 7:15 p.m. local time, which is 1:15 p.m. ET and 10:15 a.m. PT. Let’s hope you managed to get some extended time off over New Year (HNY, by the way!).

Over the next 90 minutes or so I’ll be bringing you build-up, team news and plenty more. Let's do this!

Hello and welcome to Real Madrid - Mallorca!

It’s only been 13 days but it’s felt like a lifetime. Real Madrid are in action for the first time in 2024, a little under two weeks since they somehow snatched victory from the jaws of a draw away to Alavés on a cold pre-Christmas night in the Basque Country.

Los Blancos are back at the Bernabéu for a home LaLiga clash against Mallorca. Will the Balearic Islanders be in the wrong place at the wrong time with Vinícius Júnior making his injury return?

I’m Roddy and we’ll find out soon enough! Thanks for joining me!