Aurelien Tchouameni’s long-range strike helped Real Madrid defeat Mallorca in La Liga, setting the stage for a crucial week in their campaign.
Real Madrid’s Champions League quarterfinal second leg against Manchester City is scheduled for next Wednesday; the El Clasico vs Barcelona is scheduled for the following Sunday.
Just after the break, Tchouameni’s thunderous effort received a small deflection before rocketing high into the net.
Real leads Barcelona, who play Cadiz at 20:00 BST, by 11 points.
Real manager Carlo Ancelotti used the break to relax and rotate players in preparation for their trip to the Etihad.
Among the substitutes were Dani Carvajal, Eduardo Camavinga, Toni Kroos, and Vinicius Junior, who all started in Real Madrid’s 3-3 draw with Man City at the Bernanbeu.
Mallorca, who were defeated by Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey final last weekend, gave a quite shabby effort that hindered Los Blancos.
Tchouameni’s 35-yard shot, which brushed off Manu Morlanes’ thigh and left Mallorca custodian Predrag Rajkovic with no chance, ended the match.
Jude Bellingham, an English midfielder, played 64 minutes for Real Madrid before being substituted, and the La Liga leaders held on despite a few late worries.
