Real Madrid, struggling to hold onto their La Liga title, face off against Mallorca in a crucial home match. Here's the scoop on the team news and lineups, including Vinicius Jr.'s expected start.
Title Defense on the Line: Real Madrid vs Mallorca
It's Match Day 36 in the Spanish La Liga, and Real Madrid is set to host Mallorca at the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday, 9.30pm local time (19:30 GMT). Tune in to Al Jazeera Sport's live text and photo commentary stream.
Following their 4-3 defeat at the hands of Barcelona in El Clasico, Real Madrid urgently needs to secure a win to keep their La Liga title defense alive. With just three rounds left, the battle is heating up between the two top contenders.
The Stakes Are HighThe title calculus couldn't be simpler: Real needs to keep winning and hope Barcelona, who have lost only two games in 2025 across all competitions, lose their remaining three league games. If Real loses or draws against Mallorca, Barcelona would win the league on a countback, even if they lose their subsequent matches. On the other hand, if Real beats Mallorca, and Barcelona defeats Espanyol the following day, Barcelona would be instant Champions.
El Clasico Turns the TideBarcelona's 4-3 come-from-behind victory in El Clasico was undoubtedly the most devastating defeat of the four encounters Madrid has faced this season. Star striker Kylian Mbappe's two goals in the opening 14 minutes and a hat-trick in the 70th minute would have been enough to defeat most teams in the Spanish top-flight. However, this Barcelona side is no ordinary team, having lost only two games this season. Real is now seven points behind Barcelona in the standings.
A Season to Forget?Real Madrid began the season as La Liga champions with aspirations to complete a rare title treble. However, their season has been disappointing so far. They won the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Intercontinental Cup but lost the Supercopa and Copa del Rey finals against Barcelona while being eliminated by Arsenal in the Champions League at the quarterfinal stage. Real is 0-4 against Barcelona this season, with Sunday's defeat being the latest.
Managerial Changes LoomManager Carlo Ancelotti confirmed on Monday that he would leave Real Madrid after the club's disappointing Copa del Rey final defeat to Barcelona. The Italian signed on to coach Brazil in the FIFA World Cup 2026. Reports suggest that former Real Madrid star midfielder, Xabi Alonso, may take over as the club's next manager on a three-year deal.
Vinicius Junior will miss the match against Mallorca due to an ankle injury following Sunday's game, and Lucas Vazquez and Aurelien Tchouameni are also doubtful due to injuries and suspensions. Key attacking midfielder Rodrygo, who has refused to play in recent matches, has been ruled out due to a fever and thigh discomfort.
Mallorca manager Jagoba Arrasate is set to play Leo Roman as the starting goalkeeper against Real Madrid, with key midfielder Robert Navarro expected to miss the match due to an injury. Abdon Prats, Chiquinho, and Manu Morlanes are also questionable for this fixture.
The Lineups
Courtois, Valverde, Vallejo, Asencio, F Garcia, Bellingham, Modric, Guler, B Diaz, Endrick, Mbappe
Roman, Maffeo, Valjent, Raillo, Mojica, Mascarell, Samu, Asano, D Rodriguez, Darder, Muriqi
Ancelotti remains optimistic, stating, "Every match against Mallorca is a battleground – intense and fiercely contested. Despite some key players being sidelined, we are prepared to field a formidable lineup. Our aim is to triumph in these final three games. The league battle is not over yet, and conceding to our adversaries is not an option. We're determined to conclude this challenging season on a victorious note."
In the intensifying La Liga title race, Real Madrid's upcoming match against Mallorca on Wednesday takes on the urgency of a breaking news story, with the team needing a win to keep their defense alive. Amidst the war-like atmosphere of the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid faces Mallorca, their performance affected by injuries to key players like Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo, who are out due to an ankle injury and a fever, respectively. football remains the focus as the stakes have never been higher for Real Madrid, with their La Liga title defense hanging in the balance.
