Real madrid stunned as mallorca snatch late winner
Real Madrid’s pursuit of a La Liga title took a dramatic turn Saturday evening as Real Mallorca pulled off a stunning 2-1 victory, sealed by Vedat Muriqi’s added-time goal. The result leaves Carlo Ancelotti’s side four points adrift of Barcelona, who have a game in hand, and throws the championship race into disarray.
Mallorca’s resilience shocks the capital
The hosts, written off by many before kickoff, displayed remarkable resilience against a Real Madrid side boasting a star-studded lineup. Leo Roman, Mallorca’s goalkeeper, produced a string of impressive saves, notably denying Kylian Mbappé – yes, Mbappé – on multiple occasions. But it was Mallorca who struck first, capitalizing on a rare opportunity in the 42nd minute when Manu Morlanes converted a precise cross from Pablo Maffeo. The goal ignited the home crowd and signaled a shift in momentum.
Real Madrid, however, are not easily deterred. Éder Militão, returning from a lengthy hamstring injury, leveled the score in the 88th minute, seemingly rescuing a point for the visitors. But Muriqi, currently the league’s second-highest scorer behind Mbappé, had other plans. Three minutes later, he unleashed a decisive strike that sent the Estadi de Son Moix into raptures and left the Madrid faithful reeling.
The victory, Mallorca’s first against Real in three years, is more than just a morale boost. It propels them two points clear of the relegation zone, a crucial lifeline in their fight for survival. The shock result underscores the inherent unpredictability of Spanish football and highlights the growing threat posed by traditionally smaller clubs.
Bayern’s late surge, freiburg’s european ambitions
Elsewhere in Europe, Bayern Munich demonstrated their championship pedigree with a breathtaking late comeback against Freiburg. Trailing 2-0 with just nine minutes remaining, the Bavarians erupted with three goals to secure a 3-2 victory. Tom Bischof’s two goals, mirroring each other with powerful shots from the edge of the box, ignited the comeback, followed by a late winner from Lennart Karl. It was a performance that, as the young Karl himself stated, left Bayern feeling “unbeatable.” They now face Real Madrid in a Champions League quarter-final next week – a tantalizing clash between two European giants.
Freiburg, despite the defeat, continue to impress. Their spirited performance, including a stunning long-range goal from Johan Manzambi, and their continued presence in both the Bundesliga and the German Cup, underscores their rise as a force in German football. The Europa League awaits next week against Celta Vigo, a chance to further cement their European credentials.
Allegri focused on champions league return
Finally, in Italy, Massimiliano Allegri, the Milan coach, brushed aside speculation linking him to the vacant Italy manager’s job. Following Gennaro Gattuso’s departure and the FIGC chief’s resignation after Italy’s World Cup playoff disappointment, the pressure to find a replacement has intensified. But Allegri remains steadfastly focused on securing Champions League qualification for Milan, stating he has “not thought about it yet” and hopes to remain with the club for “a long time.” Lo que nadie cuenta es que Allegri hasn't coached in the Champions League in years, and a return to Europe’s elite competition would be a significant milestone for both him and Milan.