After ending 2011 on a bit of a down note with a loss in El Clasico to rivals Barcelona, 2012 couldn't have started much better for Real Madrid. Withe Espanyol late equalizer against the Blaugranes, Madrid reopened a five point lead at the top of La Liga and gave themselves a little bit of breathing space. It's also the biggest gap held by Madrid over their rivals in the league since Pep Guardiola took over Barca in 2008
Mallorca Vs. Real Madrid, 2012 La Liga, Week 18: Real Madrid Look to Keep Their Advantage
Real Madrid faces Mallorca this weekend looking to keep their five point advantage at the top of La Liga in tact.
Los Blancos will not look to keep that advantage as they turn their attention to 14th placed Mallorca this weekend at the Iberostar Stadium. Both teams played during the midweek in second leg Copa del Rey matches with Madrid finishing of Malaga 4-2 on aggregate and Mallorca coming back from a 2-0 first leg deficit to knock out Real Sociedad 6-3 on aggregate.
On paper this seems like one of those matches in which Madrid will run wild and Cristiano Ronaldo will pad his already gaudy numbers this season. There's always reason to hope though for Los Bermellones and they can look back for inspiration at the corresponding match last season in which they held Madrid to scoreless draw.
Mallorca's attack is led by Tomer Hemed (5 goals) and Víctor Casadesú (4 goals), while experience Israeli goalkeeper Dudu Aouate will need to have a big day if Mallorca hopes to get a result against the league leaders.
Mallorca vs. Real Madrid
Game Date/Time: Saturday, January 14, 2:00 p.m. ET, 8:00 p.m. local
Venue: Iberostar Estadi, Mallorca, Spain
TV: ESPN Deportes (USA), GolTV (Canada), Sky Sports 1 (UK)
Online: ESPN3
For more on Los Merengues, check out Real Madrid blog Managing Madrid.
See More:
