Real Madrid – Why Real Madrid must win at all cost
Real Madrid players should not even think about the prospect of losing points against Real Mallorca on Sunday.
This is something that will inflict immense pressure on them like never before this season.
Real Madrid will kick off at 19:00 GMT, two points behind La Liga leaders Barcelona and bagging less than three points will boost the Blaugrana ahead of their late kick off against bottom side Tenerife.
It’s hard to imagine that Barcelona will not pounce on their struggling opponents on Sunday to bounce back from their very recent winless run.
Therefore, Real Madrid are left with no option but to clinch victory against Real Mallorca no matter the circumstances.
La Liga is approaching its half way and Real Madrid are yet to reclaim the top spot. After missing the opportunity of closing the gap against Barcelona last weekend, things have become more difficult for Los Blancos.
Against Osasuna in their latest fixture, Real Madrid put up a poor performance that was especially criticize for the team’s inefficiency in the box.
Considering Real Madrid’s lack of dominance in that game, one may assess that taking at least a point from their 0-0 draw away to Osasuna was better than nothing.
But for die-hard Real Madrid fans, there should be no excuses. Some unsatisfied fans gave a sleepless night to the club’s players by chanting outside their team hotel in Pamplona earlier this week, prior to Real Madrid’s goalless draw.
On Thursday though, fans of the Spanish Giants warmly greeted the club in numbers and 2,300 people supported the players during training session.
The Real Madrid crowd on Sunday will feel that they are giving their all to the club and th
at the players should perform at their expectations.
If Real Madrid risk to wave early goodbyes to the Spanish La Liga trophy, they also risk rough treatment from their hungry fans.
Real Madrid vs Real Mallorca – Can the visitors upset the Spanish .jpg)
giants?
Take a look at the Spanish La Liga standings and you will be surprised to see Real Mallorca seating in fourth above Deportivo and Sevilla.
Perhaps, Real Mallorca are on an inconsistent run in the campaign – with four defeats and three draws in sixteen match-days. However, they’ve proven so far that they can take advantage of other teams’ slip ups.
Whereas Deportivo drew goalless away to Real Zaragoza and Sevilla lost in Madrid again
st Atletico, Real Mallorca profited of Atletico Bilbao’s weakness to clinch a convincing 2-0 victory.
The prospect of qualifying for the UEFA Champions League is very much alive for Mallorca and they wouldn’t want to be overcome by the experience of top sides like Sevilla at the end of the season.
Certainly, Real Mallorca will need to learn how to beat great teams in La Liga before achieving their dream of qualifying into the Champions League for the first time in their history.
It’s starts by defeating Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.
But statistics aren’t good. Real Mallorca have beating none of La Liga’s top teams this season. They lost to Sevilla and Barcelona away, while they just managed to avoid defeat against Valencia at the Mestalla stadium thanks to Valero’s late equalizer which cancelled David Villa’s opener.
Now on Sunday, who knows if Real Mallorca will not build on their experiences against Sevilla, Barcelona, and Valencia to hit Real Madrid where it hurts the most?
For Real Mallorca’s coach Gregorio Manzano, the mission on Sunday will be difficult. However the desire to remain on course for an UEFA Champions League spot might push them to create an upset at the Santiago Bernabeu.
"It's not real at the moment. It is circumstantial,” Gregorio Manzano said looking at Mallorca’s position in La Liga.
He continued:
“Because next, we face Real Madrid away. It will not be easy to take points.
"We must continue our work, step by step and collect points quietly. The goal is closer every time. We aim to place ourselves in the leading group and we want to fight for every point."
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Quick analysis and news on Real Madrid and Real Mallorca
Real Madrid terminated 2009 with goals galore against Real Zaragoza and followed that with a goalless draw away to Osasuna.
They’ll be returning to the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday with the aim of finding the back of the net to clinch their ninth consecutive home win this season.
Real Madrid’s midfield will be boosted with the return of Rafael Van der Vaart, Guti, and Kaka. The trio had been out through injury but fresh reports confirmed that the players will be available for Sunday’s clash at home to Real Mallorca.
Kaka last featured for Los Blancos against Barcelona in El Clasico whereas Guti’s last game was against Alcorcon in Real Madrid’s 4-0 Copa del Rey defeat.
Meanwhile, Van der Vaart suffered an ankle injury against Osasuna last week but finally recovered in time for this weekend’s game.
As for Lassana Diarra, who is suspended after picking up five yellow cards already, will not take part in Real Madrid’s match against Real Mallorca.
Concerning Real Mallorca, they should have Aritz Aduriz and Julio Alvarez Mosquera available for the match. The duo both scored last weekend for their club and they share 11 goals together.
How well will Aduriz and Alvarez trouble Real Madrid’s defense?
