Jose Mourinho had to settle for a point in his first Primera
Division game in charge of Real Madrid after drawing a blank at
Real Mallorca.
The visitors were largely uninspiring yet still created enough
chances to have won comfortably with Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano
Ronaldo uncharacteristically wasteful in front of goal.
And with Mallorca goalkeeper Dudu Aouate turning in a wonderful
display, there was no way through for Madrid's star-studded team.
Barcelona's sparkling 3-0 win at Racing Santander earlier in the
day set a marker for Madrid but they were unable to get anywhere
near the Catalan giants' level of performance.
Higuain was Madrid's leading goalscorer last season and he almost
opened his account for this season after nine minutes.
He was played in by Ronaldo but having rounded Aouate he found
the angle too tight and was forced to cross rather than shoot and
the chance was wasted.
Ronaldo shot inches wide from 25 yards as the pressure mounted.
Mallorca, coached by former Madrid and Barcelona forward Michael
Laudrup, threatened on the few occasions they did venture forward
and Gonzalo Castro came within inches of giving therm a half-time
lead with a left-footed drive which flashed just past the post with
Iker Casillas beaten.
Two of Mourinho's summer signings were replaced approaching the
hour mark, Sergio Canales and Angel Di Maria going off to be replaced
by another new recruit Mesut Ozil and France international Karim
Benzema.
The changes gave Madrid added impetus and they continued to lay
siege towards the Mallorca goal.
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