As Real Madrid prepares to face Las Palmas in their third La Liga match, the defending champions find themselves under early pressure. After a dropped two points against Mallorca, Madrid is currently five points behind league leaders Barcelona, although they have a game in hand.
The match tonight will take place in Gran Canaria, a venue where Madrid has historically performed well, securing victory last season thanks to a last-minute goal from Aurelien Tchouameni. In contrast, Las Palmas has struggled this season, earning only one point from their first two matches, consisting of one draw and one loss. This presents Madrid with an opportunity to gain momentum and put more pressure on the hosts.
Here are three key points to consider before the match.
Time for Minor Rotations
The 2024-25 season is shaping up to be one of the busiest in football history. With the responsibility of being both domestic and European champions, Real Madrid must manage their squad effectively. With this being their second match in less than a week, coach Carlo Ancelotti may consider minor rotations. Ferland Mendy is likely to step in at left-back, replacing Fran Garcia after serving a suspension. Dani Carvajal may also be rested, allowing Lucas Vazquez to take his place. Additionally, Luka Modric could potentially start over Federico Valverde, who has played extensively in recent games.
The Guler-Diaz Conundrum
Jude Bellingham’s recent injury has raised questions about the starting lineup, opening the door for other young talents. Ancelotti has two strong replacements for Bellingham: Arda Guler and Brahim Diaz. Ancelotti chose Guler for the last match, and the young midfielder delivered an impressive performance. Meanwhile, Diaz made a significant impact in his short appearance, scoring a goal and providing an assist. This creates a dilemma for Ancelotti, who must decide whether to start Guler or Diaz, or even to include both by resting Rodrygo Goes.
Pressure Growing on Mbappe
Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid’s high-profile summer signing, is under increasing pressure to perform. After starting strong with a goal in his debut match against Atalanta in the UEFA Super Cup, his first two La Liga games have seen him struggle to find the net. Although he created scoring opportunities against Mallorca, he failed to convert them, and his performance against Valladolid was notably below par. As he enters his third match in Spain, expectations are mounting, and the Gran Canaria stadium could be the perfect setting for him to finally score his first La Liga goal.