KYLIAN MBAPPE’S LaLiga debut ended in disappointment as a dysfunctional Real Madrid side played out a 1-1 draw with Mallorca.
The France captain, 25, played his first league game for the 15-time European champions on Sunday after winning the Uefa Super Cup against Atalanta four days earlier.
But it did not go to plan for the ex-Paris Saint-Germain star as Carlo Ancelotti‘s men were forced to settle for a point.
Mallorca, who finished 15th last season, trailed at half-time after Rodrygo had given Real Madrid a 13th-minute lead.
But Vedat Muriqi levelled things up for the hosts eight minutes into the second half as he shook off Mbappe from a corner and powered a header past Thibaut Courtois.
And it was to get worse for Mbappe on what he had hoped would be a comfortable opening night in LaLiga football.
In stoppage time, Ferland Mendy was sent off for a horror waist-high tackle on goalscorer Muriqi.
He protested his innocence as he trudged off the field at the end of a tough night for the Champions League winners.
It was a dismal result for Real Madrid’s Galacticos – who fielded a starting line-up featuring Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo, Aurelien Tchouameni and Fede Valverde.
Luka Modric also came off the bench for the final 30 minutes.
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Mbappe, who had two shots on goal, was a part of a muddled Real Madrid attack – illustrated by the average positions they took up.
It was clear the Frenchman wanted to play off the left as he and Vinicius got in each other’s way.
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Rodrygo was also coming in from the right to take up a more central role, creating a hugely unbalanced side.
Mbappe’s arrival in the team has also had an impact on Bellingham.
Last season he was often playing as a false nine, acting as the furthest player forward in between Vinicius and Rodrygo.
But he was taking up deeper positions on Sunday, slotting into a more orthodox midfield role alongside Tchouameni and Valverde.
Bellingham was then substituted with two minutes of normal time remaining, despite having scored a host of late winners last season.
Meanwhile, Mbappe finished the game.
After the match, Ancelotti said: “We got off to a good start, taking the lead and then had a chance to get the second goal.
“We didn’t find the balance in the second half. We could have lost as there was no balance at the back. It wasn’t a good game.
“We need to defend better. Were a very attacking team, but defensive balance is a fundamental factor.”
He went on to add: “I don’t want to make excuses for anything, but we just need to do better and with a better attitude.
“We can learn a lot from this match. Its quite clear where our problems could come from.”
