A mighty header from Vedat Muriqi earned Real Mallorca a deserved point after Rodrygo had given Real Madrid the lead in the two sides' La Liga opener. Mallorca started well enough, but it seemed inevitable that eventually, Madrid’s class would tell, and on 13 minutes, a left-wing attack was sustained by Vinicius Jr’s backheel, and Rodrygo curled home a gorgeous finish. Madrid, though, appeared to be playing within themselves, while Mallorca were quick to the ball, well organised and brave in possession.
So it was no great surprise when, on 53 minutes, they equalised through Muriqi. Both sides then sought a winner, and though Mallorca eventually retreated, it was they who came closer in the final few minutes, but were unable to convert counters into goals. No club is better at signing the biggest names than Real Madrid, this latest iteration yet to gel but still constructing beautiful moves and goals.
But in both matches this week they have shown that they can be got at. Their back four – though all good players – are, Antonio Rudiger aside, not necessarily among the world's best. And though they will dominate possession in most matches, they are not going to keep the ball like a Pep Guardiola side, meaning they will always offer up chances.
Taking those chances can, of course, be harder against Madrid than anyone else. But both Atalanta and Mallorca have shown up vulnerabilities that will remain even when everyone is settled and fit. Mallorca put in a colossal team pe.