Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Guardian Nigeria
Published on 2024-04-12 07:59:01
Real Madrid will be facing off against Real Mallorca on Saturday as they aim to maintain their lead in La Liga while also focusing on their Champions League campaign against Manchester City. Carlo Ancelotti’s team is currently eight points ahead at the top of the table and will need to carefully balance their priorities with the upcoming Clasico against Barcelona looming ahead.
Barcelona, who are currently in second place, will be visiting the Santiago Bernabeu on April 21 in hopes of closing the gap with Real Madrid. Mallorca, who finished as runners-up in the Copa del Rey, are having a strong season and will be looking to put up a tough fight against Ancelotti’s side. They currently sit in 15th place, just six points clear of the relegation zone with eight games left in the season.
Ancelotti may choose to rotate his squad to keep players fresh for the Champions League, giving opportunities to players like Brahim Diaz, Joselu, and Luka Modric. Defender Eder Militao might also get a chance to start after recovering from a knee injury. Despite the team’s taxing match against Manchester City, Ancelotti praised his forwards for their defensive work and control of the game.
There is a history of animosity between Mallorca defenders and Real Madrid winger Vinicius, stemming from past on-field incidents. Their potential matchup in this game could provide some added spice to the encounter. Mallorca coach Javier Aguirre sees his team’s recent defeat in the Copa del Rey final as motivation for them to perform better in their La Liga campaign.
A player to watch in this match is Nico Williams from Athletic Bilbao, who played a crucial role in his team’s recent Copa del Rey victory. Key statistics to note include Andriy Lunin’s impressive goals conceded per 90 minutes ratio, the prevalence of Argentinian players in La Liga, and Valencia striker Hugo Duro being the most fouled player in the league.
In addition to the Real Madrid vs. Real Mallorca fixture, other notable matches in La Liga this weekend include Atletico Madrid vs. Girona, Rayo Vallecano vs. Getafe, and Cadiz vs. Barcelona. These matches will undoubtedly add further excitement to a thrilling La Liga season.
