September 22, (THEWILL) – Former champions of La Liga Real Madrid turned up the style against visitors Mallorca at the Santiago Bernabeu as Carlo Ancelotti’s charges hit them with three goals in each half to run them down in a 6-1 domination that saw Real leap-frog city rivals Atletico Madrid into the top of the standings.
Atletico had beaten Getafe the previous day away from home at the Coliseum Alfonso Perez stadium to take the lead after matchday six but buoyed by a spirited performance and a Marco Ascencio hattrick, Los Blancos roared back to the top.
Ancelotti set up the team to function with a 4-2-3-1 lineup. Thibaut Courtois started in goal, behind a back four of Nacho, Eder Militao, David Alaba and Miguel. Eduardo Camavinga got his first start in midfield beside Fede Valverde. They were advanced by an attacking trident of Asensio, Rodrygo and Vinicius. Karim Benzema was the centre forward.
The hosts started quick with their foot on the accelerator from kickoff that never let up until the end. Real pressure was fruitful as they took the lead inside three minutes through Benzema, who was also captain of the day.
Asensio, who used to play for Mallorca before joining the team at the Bernabeu, doubled Madrid’s lead in the 24th minute to start his hattrick drive. But, Mallorca were quick to half the deficit when Kang-In Lee pulled one back for the visitors immediately.
Real snuffed out any thoughts of a fightback for their visitors through their old boy Asensio. The attacking midfielder popped up for his second on the half-hour mark, before completing his hat-trick in the 55th minute.
Team captain Benzema, who had assisted Ascencio score his last two goals and whose 49th minute goal was ruled out for an ensuing foul, got another stab at adding his second of the evening at the 78th minute and it counted this time.
With six minutes of regulation time remaining, Isco got in on the act to join his teammates in the goal fest and complete the steamrolling of the Luis Garcia-managed La Liga side.
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
