Real Madrid weren't clinical enough at one end and were exposed at the other as they fell to a shock, 2-1 defeat against Mallorca on Saturday that lands a massive blow to their La Liga title hopes. Kylian Mbappe had chances aplenty, but the Mallorca defence held firm. Madrid's backline, by contrast, did not, which proved to be the difference on the day - and might be decisive in the title race, too.
Hansi Flick has been handed a significant defensive boost ahead of a crucial trip to the capital. While Raphinha faces a spell on the sidelines, Jules Kounde and Alejandro Balde have been cleared to return to the matchday squad.
Chelsea face a major financial headache regarding Enzo Fernandez as they look to recoup a massive fee for the Argentine. Amid interest from Real Madrid and a fallout with Liam Rosenior, the Blues must navigate a delicate balancing act to protect their investment.
Kylian Mbappe has opened up about the psychological toll of his final months at Paris Saint-Germain. The forward admitted that his impending move to Real Madrid and a strained relationship with Luis Enrique prevented him from performing at his absolute peak.
Vinicius Junior has proved once again why he is one of the most feared dribblers in world football, even if the victim this time was one of his own team-mates. The Brazilian superstar left Trent Alexander-Arnold red-faced during a recent Real Madrid training session with a piece of skill that has since gone viral.
Real Madrid boss Alvaro Arbeloa has aimed a cheeky swipe at his predecessor and "friend' Carlo Ancelotti over the management of Vinicius Junior's workload. The Brazilian superstar played every single minute of his country's recent international fixtures and returned in exhausted after a gruelling schedule in the United States, leaving his availability for an upcoming La Liga match in doubt.
There were just a few minutes to go in the first half of Brazil's friendly with France last week when Raphinha began to experience what Carlo Ancelotti called "mild discomfort" in his right thigh. However, the mere fact that he failed to re-emerge for the second period at the Gillette Stadium immediately put Barcelona's medical team on red alert and they promptly reached out to the winger, desperately hoping to receive reassurance that he hadn't aggravated an issue that had already sidelined him twice this season.
Pep Guardiola has admitted he would not stand in Rodri’s way should the midfielder seek a move to Real Madrid. The Manchester City boss acknowledged the lure of the Spanish giants following the Ballon d'Or winner's recent hints about a return home.
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