How many times has Real Madrid lost the opening game in LaLiga?

With spirits high after picking up their first piece of silverware of the new season and with superstar signing Kylian Mbappé off the mark on his debut, many had expected Real Madrid to start the new season just as they have ended the last one.

Dropping two points away at Mallorca wasn’t part of Madrid’s plan to begin their defence of the title. Having already won one, Carlo Ancelotti’s team have the unique chance of competing for seven trophies this season; they have a squad that is the envy of their rivals not only in Spain but also across Europe - probably the most balanced team anywhere in the world, packed with highly experienced players, talented winners and Ballon d’Or candidates. Yet after just one weekend of action in LaLiga, they’re already playing catch-up.

Coming home from Son Moix with one point was a surprise but it’s not the first time it’s happened on the opening day (the August 2010 league opener in Palma failed to produce any goals at all). Madrid have plenty of time to turn things around and during their 122-year history have had worst starts to the league - Los Blancos have even dropped points in the first game then gone on to clinch the title... but not during the last 25 years.

When was the last time Real Madrid lost on the opening day of the league?

The last time Real Madrid lost their opening fixture was in August 2008. Riazor had been a notoriously tough ground for the capital club - their first victory there eventually arrived in January 2010 so in some ways it was not unexpected for Deportivo to extend their hoodoo over the visitors. Albert Ferrer nodded Depor ahead on 26 minutes and while Ruud van Nistelrooy pulled Madrid back level with their first attack of the second half, they were beaten in air again with Alberto Lopo rising to glance in the winner.

Madrid had stumbled on the opening day seven years previously - also away from home. They faced Champions League runners-up Valencia at Mestalla in matchday 1 of the 2001/2 campaign. Miguel Ángel Angulo poked in the winner from close range on seven minutes, setting Rafa Benítez’s side on a run that would ultimately bring them the title.

Have Real Madrid ever won the league title after losing the first game?

But in general, Madrid haven’t done too badly on the first day of the league. In total, they have lost 14 times on the opening day of the season - only four times in the last 40 years, and been held to a draw 21 times.

Interestingly though, after losing the first game, Madrid have only recovered to go on and lift the title four times: 1932/3, 1954/5, 1960/1 and 1977/8. After drawing the first game, Madrid were eventually crowned champions four times too: 1931/2, 1985/6, 1988/9 and 1996/7.

Their heaviest opening day defeat was to Oviedo in September 1944 (4-0). Barcelona and Valencia are the only two clubs to have done it more than once although due to changes in scheduling, these days we don’t usually see El Clásico or the derby until later in the campaign.

The last time Barça beat Madrid on the opening day of the season was in 1992 and the Catalans were also the last side to beat Los Blancos at home in the first fixture.

Atleti beat their neighbors on the first weekend of action just once - a 1-0 win at the old Metropolitano in September 1960 with Miguel Jones hitting the winner.