Barcelona wins, but Real Madrid unstoppable in La Liga title race

Real Madrid prepped for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League quarter-finals clash with a 1-0 win over their Saturday hosts Mallorca at Estadi Mallorca Son Moix to maintain their gentle strides to the La Liga title.

Carlo Ancelloti had six changes to the team that drew 3-3 with Manchester City at Santiago Bernabeu during the week, but The Los Blancos managed their second 1-0 win against Mallorca, who were the Copa del Rey losing finalists last weekend against Athletic Bilbao.

Perhaps the shuffle in the lineup did affect the synergy of Ancelotti’s team as it took half an hour before hitting the game’s first shot on target, which came from the visitors through Dani Rodriguez’s cross and Antonio Raillo’s header saved by Real Madrid’s Lunin.

Two minutes later, the hosts asked their questions as Aurélien Tchouaméni’s pass to Jude Bellingham led to a 20-yard effort that hit Mallorca’s crossbar. 

Real Madrid continued to feel pressure in the first half, but Rajkovic stood against Tchouameni and Brahim Diaz.

Real Madrid eventually got the winning goal in the second half when Tchouameni scored three minutes after the break. The win puts the Los Blancos with some breathing space ahead of next weekend’s El Clasico against Barcelona.

The game at Bernabeu next weekend will give Barcelona a chance to reduce Real Madrid’s lead to five points with six games after the fixture.

Xavi’s men also kept Real Madrid on their toes after winning away at Cadiz courtesy of a solitary goal from Joao Felix in the 37th minute ensured the win.

However, attention shifts to the UEFA Champions League for both Barcelona and Real Madrid before they meet in La Liga as Barcelona host PSG on Tuesday while Real Madrid travel to face Manchester City 24 hours later.

 Daniel Ademiju Idowu