Three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs Mallorca | Spanish Super Cup | OneFootball

Real Madrid have already played two games in as many competitions in 2025, and they will embark on a third competition later tonight against Mallorca.

Stepping into the Spanish Super Cup, Los Blancos are one of the favorites as last season’s league champions and find themselves just two wins away from their third trophy of the season.

To get to the finale, however, they must first get the better of Jagoba Arrasate’s side who held Real Madrid to a draw in La Liga earlier this year.

Their opponents, however, have lost three of their last five games across all competitions and are on a mixed run of form entering the Spanish Super Cup.

The game will kick off on Thursday night at the King Abdullah Sports City in Saudi Arabia, and one can expect Real Madrid to have the crowd behind them.

Madrid Universal brings you three talking points ahead of Real Madrid vs Mallorca.

Suspended but available

Vinicius Jr. is eligible to play in Spanish Super Cup. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

Vinicius Jr.’s suspension has become a major topic of discussion in Spain in recent weeks for a plethora of reasons, and rightfully so.

The Brazilian was shown red in the team’s recent clash against Valencia in La Liga after he struck the Mestalla-based side’s goalkeeper Stole Dimitrievski with the ball nowhere in play.

As a result of his action and the violent conduct that followed, Vinicius was expected to face a lengthy period on the sidelines.

In fact, there was a real chance he may even be suspended across competitions, throwing his participation in the Spanish Super Cup in doubt.

Earlier this week, however, the final verdict on his punishment arrived and stated that he would see just two games out, both in La Liga, thus confirming his availability for the Supercopa.

Having the talisman available for the four-team knockout event is a massive boost for Carlo Ancelotti and Vinicius will look to cut the distractions and focus on the task at hand. After all, he has always proven to be one to step up on the big occasions.

Real Madrid’s forte

Real Madrid are favourites to beat Mallorca. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)

There are certain facets of football that Real Madrid historically excels in, and knockout events top the list.

Through all the highs and lows the club has seen over the decades, they seldom disappoint in knockout-format tournaments and such high-stakes games always bring the best out of the team.

Blessed with a team that has no dearth of individual talent, Ancelotti has only elevated Los Blancos’ ability to come up clutch even when not dominating games and the team showed exactly the same against Valencia earlier this week.

Real Madrid are never out of it until the final whistle has been blown, and their ability to conjure resources under pressure and against the run of time places them as favorites in the Spanish Super Cup – a competition that demands exactly that.

Playing Mallorca later tonight, Real Madrid’s aim will thus be solely to win no matter the cost.

Irrespective of whether they dominate the proceedings or not, they will be on the constant lookout for individual brilliance which is in abundance in a team with Vinicius, Rodrygo, Jude Bellingham, and Kylian Mbappe.

Setting up a Clasico finale

We could see a Super Cup El Clasico. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Barcelona and Athletic Club locked horns in the first semifinal of the competition last night and the Blaugrana coasted through to a 2-0 win, booking the first place in the finale of the Supercopa de Espana.

The winner of the game between Real Madrid and Mallorca will thus meet Hansi Flick’s side in the title clash. Tomorrow’s prize should Real Madrid win, thus, will be an El Clasico finale.

The first meeting between Barcelona and Real Madrid this season did not quite go to plan and the Catalans took home a massive 4-0 result from the Santiago Bernabeu.

Needless to say, the dressing room will be fired up to make it to the final and exact revenge against their arch-rivals in a potential final, for it does not get more motivating than the prospect of beating your biggest enemy in a trophy-deciding clash.

Getting past the first hurdle is crucial for that, and all eyes are thus on whether the team can keep the momentum going and set up the clash they so deeply desire.