Mallorca - Real Madrid: injuries, suspensions, team news

Real Mallorca - Real Madrid live online: scores, stats and updates, LaLiga 2021-22

Carlo Ancelotti has a few issues to consider going into Monday night’s match away at Mallorca. Despite a more or less full squad for the trip to Son Moix, the Italian tactician will have half an eye on the Clásico against Xavi’s resurgent Barcelona next Sunday. As such, he may well opt to leave yellow card magnet Casemiro on the Balearic bench given the Brazilian is a caution away from a suspension, a situation Ferland Mendy also finds himself in. The pair were suspended for the Champions League victory over PSG and Ancelotti will have taken heart from the performances of Fede Valverde and Nacho in the starters’ places. Eduardo Camavinga also came on against the Ligue 1 giants and acquitted himself well, giving Madrid another option in Son Moix, where Mallorca beat Monday’s visitors 1-0 last season.

Éder Militão may also have been given the evening off in Mallorca for the same reason as Casemiro and Mendy but was forced to pull out of the squad at the 11^th hour. However, Ancelotti will be concerned about the prospect of Casemiro and Mendy being in dry dock for two weeks without competitive action ahead of the Clásico and so may elect to risk one or both for a half at least. In a game where defensive concerns will not be as acute as against PSG and Barcelona – only Cádiz and Alavés have scored fewer than the islanders this season – Marcelo is also an option at left back with Nacho likely to be drafted into the centre of defence.

It remains to be seen if Toni Kroos starts in Son Moix. The Germany midfielder was included against PSG but lasted less than an hour due to a niggling hamstring issue and Ancelotti may prefer to ensure he is fully fit for Barcelona rather than taking any chances. Valverde would be the logical replacement to line up alongside Luka Modric and either Casemiro or Camavinga while Dani Ceballos is another option due to his versatility across the midfield line.

Up front Karim Benzema will start with Vinicius, the Frenchman currently enjoying the form of his life and fresh from putting three past PSG in a performance for the ages that provided room for further mockery of the results of the 2021 Ballon d’Or voting. Marco Asensio is likely to complete the front three but Ancelotti also has Gareth Bale, Eden Hazard, Rodrygo and Isco as alternatives, as well as two back-up strikers in Luka Jovic and Mariano.

Possible Real Madrid XI against Mallorca

Courtois; Carvajal, Nacho, Alaba, Marcelo; Valverde, Casemiro, Modric; Asensio, Benzema, Vinicius.

Possible Mallorca XI against Real Madrid

Rico; Maffeo, Raíllo, Valjent, Costa; Sevilla, Baba, Rodríguez, Kubo, Sánchez; Muriqi.