Real Madrid’s slow start to the 2024-25 La Liga season continues as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Las Palmas in a match that left much to be desired for the reigning champions. Despite the star power of Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Jr., Madrid struggled to find their rhythm, and what seemed like a fluke performance against Valladolid now looks more like a worrying trend. With only three games played, Madrid already find themselves four points behind a Barcelona side that is capitalizing on their rivals’ struggles.
A Stumbling Start for the Champions
From the first whistle, it was evident that Las Palmas came with a clear plan. They pressed high, disrupted Madrid’s buildup, and found an early breakthrough. In the fourth minute, Las Palmas took advantage of some lackluster defending from Madrid. Moleiro received the ball on the left flank, easily bypassed Éder Militão, and fired a cross into the box. Tchouaméni, who has yet to look comfortable in his new role, failed to close down the space, allowing Las Palmas to open the scoring.
Real Madrid, on the other hand, looked disjointed. The midfield trio of Tchouaméni, Valverde, and Lucas Vázquez lacked cohesion, and the front line, led by Mbappé and Vinicius, failed to threaten. The Brazilian winger, in particular, had an off night, struggling to make any significant impact on the left flank. His lack of defensive contribution also left Mendy exposed, forcing Ancelotti to make adjustments early in the game.
Ancelotti’s Tactical Tinkering
Ancelotti, known for his calm demeanor, seemed unusually agitated on the sidelines. Recognizing the gravity of the situation, he made two changes at halftime, bringing on Rodrygo and Fran García in place of Mendy and Brahim Díaz. The changes gave Madrid more control, but the team still relied heavily on individual brilliance rather than cohesive play.
Las Palmas, however, did not sit back. They continued to pose a threat on the counter, with Kirian and Sandro linking up well to create chances. In the 60th minute, Sandro found himself one-on-one with Courtois after a sublime pass from Kirian but failed to convert, a miss that would prove costly for Las Palmas.
A Scrappy Equalizer
Real Madrid’s equalizer came in the 70th minute, not from a moment of brilliance but rather from a scrappy sequence of events. Lucas Vázquez, one of Madrid’s more industrious players on the night, managed to control a cross inside the box, disorienting the Las Palmas defense. Vinicius mishit his shot, but the ball fell kindly to Arda Güler, who had replaced Modric earlier. Güler’s effort was blocked by a handball from Álex Suárez, leading to a penalty. Vinicius stepped up and converted, finally making his mark on the game.
With 20 minutes remaining, it seemed as though Madrid would push for a late winner. However, Las Palmas remained resilient, and in the closing stages, it was actually the visitors who looked more likely to snatch a win. Courtois was forced into a brilliant save from a Mika Mármol volley, and Las Palmas thought they had won it in the dying seconds when Viti’s shot found the back of the net, only for it to be ruled out for offside.
FAQs
The match ended in a 1-1 draw.
Vinicius Jr. scored the equalizer for Real Madrid via a penalty.
Las Palmas scored early in the match, taking advantage of Madrid’s defensive lapses with a well-placed shot by Moleiro.
Ancelotti brought on Rodrygo and Fran García for Mendy and Brahim Díaz to try and regain control of the match.
Yes, Las Palmas had a late goal disallowed for offside, which would have given them a 2-1 victory.
Conclusion: Concerns for Ancelotti
The final whistle brought an end to a frustrating night for Real Madrid. While Las Palmas celebrated a well-earned point, Ancelotti’s side was left to reflect on a performance that was far from championship material. With only five points from their opening three games, Madrid’s title defense is already looking shaky.
Ancelotti will need to find solutions quickly, particularly with key players like Mbappé and Vinicius struggling to make the impact expected of them. The upcoming fixtures will be crucial for Madrid to regain their form and avoid falling further behind in the title race.
