Mallorca 0-1 Real Madrid - Aurelien Tchouameni goal keeps Los Blancos on course for Liga glory

A physical fixture, played out between the sides in 15th and 1st, was edged by the Liga leaders, thanks to a sumptuous strike from Aurelien Tchouameni early in the second half.

With one eye - at least - on the UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg, Carlo Ancelotti’s side were never going to go all guns blazing against relegation-threatened Mallorca. His starting 11, which saw several players rested, reflected the intent of a manager keen that his players do no more than enough to take the three points.

Mallorca’s bullying approach was enough to stifle the superstars in the first half. Nine fouls and only one yellow card was the going rate for a 45-minute clean sheet against Madrid. Not a bad deal, manager Javier Aguirre will have thought at the break.

The closest either team came to a goal in the opening period was a majestic effort from Jude Bellingham from outside the box. Mallorca 'keeper Predrag Rajokovic well beaten, Bellingham’s right foot whip on to the bar was the kind of shot that explains why some people think hitting the woodwork should count as on target.

Mallorca came out after the interval with the same intent but without the concentration that had kept the game goalless.

Less than three minutes in and too much space was afforded to Tchouameni on the edge of the box. The Frenchman grateful received a clumsy clearance, saw all he needed of the goal to line up his strike and let loose a scorcher with his right foot.

For the remainder of the match Madrid were more than happy to allow the home side, who were completely lacking in any new ideas, to have more of the ball and do nothing with it.

Three safe points to the away side take their lead to 10 over Barcelona who play in Cadiz. Mallorca are closer to relegation than they were but there should still be worse side than the islanders this season.

Even on their home turf, Mallorca were never going to outclass Madrid. Javier Aguirre clearly knew that, which is why he sent his players out with the instruction to trouble them in an entirely different way.

With La Liga all but sewn up, Los Blancos are currently far more concerned about the Champions League which means keeping as many players as fit and healthy as possible for the return fixture against Manchester City.

Aguirre knows that too, and the 18 fouls his players committed across the match - one every five minutes - tell the tactical tale. They rarely hit hard, but they did hit often.

For all but 30 seconds of the 90 said tactics worked. It was not pretty but Madrid were never able to get into a groove, even after going a goal up. Luckily for them, that one goal was all they needed.

Prevented from playing the way they wanted, a Madrid goal was always going to take a moment of magic. That meant it would either come from Jude Bellingham or the Frenchman. Although the former had his chance, it was the latter who posed more of a danger. He had 94 touches of the ball, and none wasted. Almost every one of his 68 successful passes advanced the game. His positioning was ever unsettling for the Mallorca defence. His strike, the definition of preparation meets opportunity, was good enough to win any match.

MALLORCA Rajkovic 8, Maffeo 7, Gonzalez 6, Raillo 7, Nastasic 6; Lato 6, Samu 6, Morlanes 5; Dani Rodriguez 6, Antonio Sanchez 6, Muriqi 7… Subs: Mascarell 6, Abdon 6, Darder 7, Larin 6, Radonjic 5

MADRID: Lunin 6; Lucas 6, Rudiger 5, Nacho 6, Mendy 5, Valverde 5, Tchouameni 8; Modric 7, Bellingham 7, Brahim 6, Joselu 6… Subs: Carvajal 6, Militao 5, Vini Jr 7, Camavinga 6,

22' - Bellingham hits the bar! A delicious right footer, struck so well from just outside the box, and the keeper was well beaten. As close as either side have come in this opening spell.

48' - Goal for Madrid! What a beauty! Mallorca defend haphazardly and the ball comes out to Tchouameni who almost seemed to be waiting for it to fall to him just outside the box. He picked his spot, lined it up and lets rip with his right foot. Unstoppable.

74' - Mallorca close to the equaliser! A huge, hooping Darder hit from distance is heading towards the top left corner and is only prevented from becoming a leveller by the alertness of Andriy Lunin. The home side's best attempt of the match.

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