HT: Real Mallorca 1-0 Real Madrid: Morlanes strikes before the break to put visitors on back foot

Real Madrid’s title challenge was in serious danger of taking a major hit this afternoon as they trailed Real Mallorca at half-time.

Madrid, who started the day four points adrift of La Liga leaders Barcelona who visit Atletico Madrid tonight, dominated the bulk of the opening period but found home goalkeeper Leo Roman in brilliant form.

The 25-year-old made several impressive stops in the opening period and his team-mates capitalised by taking the lead three minutes before the break.

Pablo Maffeo was the architect with a driving run down the right and his pull back was perfect for Manu Morlanes to fire past Andriy Lunin.

Leaving out Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr looking a questionable call

Defeat here would prompt plenty of criticism of Alvaro Arbeloa’s team selection after he made five changes that included dropping Vinicius Jr to the bench.

Kylian Mbappe did return, however, and the Frenchman helped create Madrid’s first chance of note after 17 minutes with a floated cross to the back post that Manuel Angel, making his first start this afternoon, headed straight at Roman.

Roman then denied Mbappe twice in the space of three minutes. First he got down well to block a shot with his foot after the former PSG striker had been played through on goal by Arda Guler. He then made a smart save to keep out Mbappe’s effort that seemed to be heading towards the bottom corner.

Guler was an instrumental figure for Madrid and he came close to breaking the deadlock after 34 minutes but his back-post effort was brilliantly saved by Roman.

Having offered little as an attacking threat, Mallorca came on strong before the break.

Morlanes headed agonisingly over after 36 minutes but did find the back of the net six minutes later.