Mallorca’s captain, Antonio Raillo, has made it clear that his team will need to deliver an almost flawless performance to stand any chance of beating Real Madrid in their first match of the new La Liga season.
As Mallorca wrap up their preparations for the league opener at Son Moix this Sunday, the team is cautiously optimistic about causing the season’s first big upset.
Raillo, speaking ahead of the clash with the reigning La Liga and Champions League winners, stressed that facing Real Madrid is a monumental challenge. He was honest about what it would take for Mallorca to emerge victorious:
“To be able to beat Madrid you have to play an almost perfect game. You have to have a very good day and they have a bad day,” Raillo acknowledged as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
Madrid has a lot of individual talent, anyone can make a decisive play and decide the game.”
Mallorca will look for an early upset
Raillo emphasised the importance of teamwork, a characteristic that has defined Mallorca in recent seasons.
“We will have to be very supportive, which I think we are. We have that DNA of Mallorca in recent seasons in which the team fights together, like a family, with defensive and offensive solidarity.”
The captain’s message is clear: collective effort and solidarity are crucial if Mallorca are to gain anything from this encounter.
The key to success against Real Madrid, according to Raillo, lies in disrupting their rhythm and making it difficult for them to find space.
“We have to make sure they don’t find any gaps. We need to slow the game down so they can’t get into their rhythm, and from there, we must take advantage of the opportunities that come our way,” Raillo explained.
As the match approaches, Raillo conveyed a sense of cautious optimism. He is fully aware that the first test of the season is a daunting one, but he believes Mallorca must be ready to meet the challenge head-on.
“We’re coming in with positive feelings. The team is responding well, slowly assimilating the concepts. We’re going from a line of five at the back to one of four and we have to apply movements, mechanisms, and concepts.
“The first test is going to be tough and we have to be prepared,” he concluded.