Our new campaign got underway with a 1-1 draw against Real Madrid as Vedat Muriqi’s second-half goal cancelled out Rodrygo’s opener.
Jagoba Arrasate named Dominik Grief as his No.1 in his starting XI while Takuma Asano and Johan Mojica were handed their full debuts following their summer signings.
We could not have wished for a worse start as Rodrygo opened the scoring in the 13th minute when he managed to slip his marker, cut inside and curl the ball into the top corner.
Grief had to have quick reactions to later tip the Brazilian’s effort from close range over the bar before Asano then tested the visitors.
Chances were few and far between after the frenetic start as we headed into the break a goal down.
We came out after the restart fighting and levelled matters in the 53rd minute when Muriqi climbed highest to head home Dani Rodríguez’s whipped corner.
Kylian Mbappe looked to restore the visitors’ lead in the 62nd minute with a low drive at the near post, but Grief got down well to deny him.
Mbappe tested Grief again at the near post and it then took some fine defending to ensure the second ball was not sent goalwards seven minutes later.
Grief blocked a Luka Modric strike from range with 10 minutes left on the clock as Los Blancos stepped up the pressure in a desperate attempt to find a winner.
The game would not finish without some later drama as Ferland Mendy was sent off in injury time for a rash foul as we held on to secure a point.
Starting XI
RCD Mallorca: Greif; Maffeo, Raíllo, Valjent, Mojica; Samu Costa, Mascarell (Copete, min.92), Darder (Morlanes, min.72); Asano (Larin, min.72), Muriqi y Dani Rodríguez (Antonio Sánchez, min.67).
Real Madrid: Courtois; Carvajal (Lucas Vázquez, min.88), Rüdiger, Militao, Mendy; Tchouameni (Modric, min.63), Valverde, Bellingham (Arda Güler, min.88); Rodrygo, Mbappé y Vinícius (Brahim, min.88).
Goals: 0 - 1, min.13, Rodrygo. 1 - 1, min.53, Muriqi.