Real Madrid get their LaLiga campaign underway on Sunday in a disappointing one all draw with RCD Mallorca.
Los Blancos were the overwhelming favourite to come out on top due to several reasons, one of those being their form recently and another their impressive record against their host.
Carlo Ancelotti had a lot of stars on display with Kylian Mbappé making his LaLiga debut, while the trio of Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Júnior and Rodrygo were all in the starting XI.
Federico Valverde, who opened the scoring in their UEFA Super Cup final win over Atalanta was joined in midfield by Aurelien Tchouameni as Ancelotti made no alteration from the side from Wednesday’s win.
Unfortunately, they could not make it count as Vedat Muriqi headed home eight minute after the restart to cancel out Rodrygo Goes’ strike earlier on in the first-half.
Muriqi’s goal is the first Real Madrid has conceded with Thibaut Courtois in goal since the Belgian returned from his ACL injury in the tale end of last season, bringing an end to his five games clean sheet run.
Despite dominating possession and creating more chances through Vinicius Júnior on the left, it was Mallorca who created the more dangerous chances, as Carlo Ancelotti‘s men had to settle for a point.
Although the draw sees them set a new record for their longest unbeaten run in Laliga history, taking it to 33 games, surpassing the previous one achieved between May 1988 and April 1989 with Leo Beenhakker as coach.
But in the wake of their disappointing start to the season, we take a look at the three reasons why they may not be able to retain their LaLiga crown this season.
1. No club has won La Liga after playing the first matchday in Mallorca
YES. No side in the history of Laliga has faced RCD Mallorca away on opening weekend and go on to win the league that season.
In their 31 previous seasons played in the Spanish top-flight, none of the teams that have faced them at home in Gameweek one has won the league title in that same season. Los Blancos could become the 32nd.
2. Real Madrid has not won La Liga in two consecutive since 2007-08
Another reason Real Madrid may likely not win the LaLiga title this season is that they’ve always fall short in their quest to do so for 16 years.
The last time they did was in the 2007-08 season under German manager Bernd Schuster, who took over from their title winning manager Fabio Capello at the end of the 2006-07 campaign.
Real Madrid would go on to win the title in 2007-08 season, ending their 19 year wait for consecutive league titles since Leo Beenhakker won three straight titles between 1987 and 1989.
Since then, they’ve failed to do so under managers like Jose Mourinho, Zinedine Zidane and even their current boss Carlo Ancelotti.
3. Haven’t won La Liga in two consecutive seasons, with the same coach in 35 years
The aforementioned Leo Beenhakker, who won three straight titles 35 years ago, starting in 1987 was the last manager to win back-to-back league titles for Los Blancos.
Even when they did the three-peat in the UEFA Champions League under Zidane last decade, they could only win one LaLiga title in that period. Unfortunately.
What appeared a myth became reality, and after their draw in RCD Mallorca yesterday, it is looking more likely that the harsh fate overcome Real Madrid once more this season.
However, given the crop of talents at the disposal of Carlo Ancelotti, it will be very difficult to rule them out after one game of a 38-game season.
One down and 37 more to go. The stars of Real Madrid must now align against the fate that has befell their predecessors, if they are to maintain the class given to them, due to the immense individual talents on the books in the Bernabéu.
