Realmadrid News

Mallorca-Real Madrid preview:More than just Three Points

It will be the last match of the first half of the season in terms of the time it gets underway, but it definitely won't be the last in terms of importance. At stake are three crucial points for two teams who aspire to very different things. The hosts will be looking to bring smiles to their supporters -they have won just one match at the Ono Estadi all season- and to prove that their victory over Sevilla wasn't a fluke, while the visitors hope to string together their second consecutive League win which would be a huge morale boost heading into the second term.

Sevilla's draw against Villarreal on Saturday has left the top of the table tighter than ever, and Real Madrid are in better form than ever to battle it out for the National Championship. A win on the island would be a giant step in the right direction. The players know it and are ready to step up to the challenge. We already saw a change in the team's attitude against Zaragoza last weekened, and it will hopefully be repeated at the Ono Estadi tonight.

Coach Fabio Capello held two training sessions during the week in order to be as prepared as possible, but there were several important injuries that had to be taken into consideration. Names like Cicinho, Guti, Marcelo, Roberto Carlos, Raúl, Emerson and Beckham aren't easy to replace, but none of the aforementioned players were available against Zaragoza, and the squad proved they have what it takes to win. Capello is well aware of the difficulties presented by tonight's match, just as he mentioned in yesterday's press conference. “They defeated Sevilla by playing a great game at a tough stadium. They also played well against Deportivo. It will be a tough match because our opponents always play their hearts out against us. They are a strong adversary,” said the Italian boss.

Few changes are expected to the Madridista starting eleven. Plagued by injuries, and with Ronaldo and Cassano out due to a coaching decision, it's the the back line that presents the main questions. Raúl Bravo was a last-minute addition to the squad list having finally overcome his muscle problems, as was Míchel Salgado, who has recovered from acute gastroenteritis.

We'll have to wait until moments prior to kickoff to see if the Italian manager will continue counting on the youngster Torres, or whether he will play Ramos on the right wing with Helguera and Cannavaro paired up as centre backs. There are far less questions from the midfield up, as it is likely Diarra and Gago will cover the centre of the pitch with Reyes and Robinho on the wings, and Higuaín and Van Nistelrooy leading the attack. The pressure and speed of the forwards will once again be the primary weapons of a Real Madrid looking to score off their counterattacks.

Except for last season -a 2-1 win for the islanders-, Mallorca has been a pushover for the Whites in recent years, with a 1-5 win in the 2002/03 season and a 1-3 victory in 2003/04 standing out above the rest.

Gregorio Manzano's squad receive the Madridistas sitting in the 15th spot of the table with 20 points and morale sky high stemming from their 1-2 victory over Sevilla at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium. Mallorca will be without their centre back Sergio Ballestero, who is serving a one game suspension for yellow card accumulation, and Sevillian forward Diego Tristán, who is injured. According to box office forecasts, the Ono Estadi will register its largest attendence of the season. But it's a given that ticket sales soar when Real Madrid come to town, as does the opponent's confidence and morale.

Report by Luis Navarro
Photos by Realmadrid.com
Translation by Matthew Goltz

posted by khalidmrrakchi@hotmail.com @ 3:05 PM