Rodrygo saves face at the start of the Mbappé era in white

Kylian Mbappé already knows what it's like to play an official match in the Spanish league in a Real Madrid shirt. It was in Mallorca, the same stadium where the Mourinho era began in 2010 and also with a draw, although in August it was a 0-0 draw.  

Ancelotti has a blessed problem up front. Many attackers of all profiles, but they have to be protected by a muscular and precise midfield now that Kroos is out. The task is not easy, but Real Madrid have overcome the departure of great players like Cristiano and Benzema and have even won European Cups.  

This season is a question of time and of managing the form of a squad that could face almost 80 games between all the competitions ahead, including the Club World Cup next summer.  

In Mallorca it was Rodrygo who scored the first goal. A trademark right-footed shot into the top corner. Vinicius and Mbappé had not been able to get into the box with danger, but that goal gave the impression of being the first of an easy game for Los Blancos.  

Tchouaméni, Valverde and Bellingham have to make up for the ball control and play of Modric and Kroos. Taking their place is not the same as taking their head and that will be the hardest job for Ancelotti this season if he decides not to go for profiles like Brahim or Güler who are not afraid to have the ball and raise their heads.  

Bad news in the Mallorca goal. Muriqi finished off a ball from the corner. A header from the edge of the six-yard box was blocked by Militao and Rüdiger, but Courtois could do nothing about it.  

With the score at 1-1, Ancelotti went back to making changes. Entrusting the entire midfield to Modric and removing Tchouaméni did not work out well because Valverde and Bellingham did not cover the Croatian's back as well as Modric himself covered Kroos.  

In the next 20 minutes Mbappé suffered from tight defending and a series of combinations with his future partner Vinicius that didn't end in a goal. Mallorca had some of Aguirre's stuff, but under Arrasate all the players took on a special value with Samu Costa, Dani Rodríguez or the Japanese Asano running and covering for White's arrivals.  

Nobody knows what Ancelotti was trying to do with three changes in the 87th minute. To try to change the game in the last five minutes against a coach as experienced as his friend Arrasate is a big mistake. Neither Lucas, Brahim nor Güler had time to create chances for Mbappé to score his goal to avoid the first points difference with Barça.  

The French star's debut in Mallorca was a disappointment, but Real Madrid's big problem comes in an infinite midfield where there is no compass to bring order and point to the star who must score the goals.