La Liga Round 9: Real Madrid Miss Their Aerial Threat as Mallorca’s Defense Gains Strength

La Liga's Round 9 presented fans with another fascinating chapter in the early stages of the 2023-24 season. Real Madrid’s surprising 1-0 loss to Lille and Mallorca's remarkable rise in defensive solidity captured the headlines, offering plenty of talking points for those tracking Spain’s top flight. As Los Blancos continue to struggle without a focal point in attack, the defensive organization at Mallorca under new coach Jagoba Arrasate has propelled them into contention for European places. Let’s break down both matches and their implications for the teams involved.

Real Madrid’s Lack of a Target Man Becomes Clearer

Real Madrid's defeat to Lille was a bitter pill to swallow. Despite controlling large portions of the game, they failed to break the deadlock in the first half—the ninth time this season they have gone into halftime without a goal. With a strike force missing Karim Benzema and Vinícius Júnior, much of the responsibility has fallen on the young Brazilian sensation Endrick, who continues to show promise with his electrifying runs but lacks the finishing ability of his more experienced teammates.

In the absence of Benzema, Real Madrid had hoped Joselu would provide the aerial threat they needed, but the veteran striker has been sidelined. With his absence becoming glaringly evident, Carlo Ancelotti made a tactical gamble late in the match, pushing center-back Antonio Rüdiger into the forward line. Rüdiger, known for his aerial prowess, came close to scoring twice from headers, but Lille’s goalkeeper Chevalier was well-positioned to deny the German defender on both occasions.

This scenario highlighted how much Real Madrid miss Joselu. Known for his work rate and ability to win aerial duels, Joselu was a pivotal part of Madrid’s tactical setup, especially in matches where the team struggled to break down deep-lying defenses. As winter approaches, Real Madrid may consider adding a proper target man during the transfer window. Without Joselu or a similar profile in the lineup, the team lacks an essential dimension to their attack, one that could alleviate the pressure on their younger stars.

The Challenge of Integrating Endrick

One of the central narratives of this season has been the rise of Endrick, the prodigious talent who arrived with much fanfare. While Endrick has the physicality and raw talent to terrorize defenses, he has yet to develop the finishing instincts that define the world's elite strikers. Against Lille, the difference between him and Kylian Mbappé, who was rested, became evident. While Endrick provides a dynamic presence on the flanks and runs tirelessly into space, his composure in front of goal remains a work in progress.

It is clear that Ancelotti sees the Brazilian as a long-term project. Endrick is not yet ready to be Madrid’s attacking focal point in key fixtures, especially with Joselu missing. For all of Endrick’s explosive pace and dribbling, he lacks the clinical edge that someone like Benzema brought to the table. If Endrick can develop that killer instinct, Real Madrid’s attack will take on a whole new level of potency.

However, for now, Los Blancos must find a way to cope with the absence of a true target man. The decision to use Rüdiger as a makeshift striker in the closing stages against Lille showed just how desperate Real Madrid were for a plan B. Fans were left wondering if Joselu’s presence could have made the difference in a match where Madrid managed to dominate but could not find the back of the net.

Villarreal’s Push for European Places

While Real Madrid’s loss put them under pressure, Villarreal continued their strong start to the season with a solid showing. The Yellow Submarine sit third in La Liga, just four points behind leaders Barcelona. Villarreal's lack of European football this season has allowed them to fully capitalize on their fitness advantage in La Liga, and their latest signing, Mexican forward Ayoze Pérez, has slotted in seamlessly.

Ayoze’s instant impact since arriving from Leicester City just days before the season began has been remarkable. His chemistry with the rest of the Villarreal squad makes it seem as though he’s been with the club for years. Despite missing their last match through injury, Ayoze's contributions have kept him in the hunt for the Pichichi, trailing only Robert Lewandowski in the top-scorers race.

In Ayoze’s absence, Villarreal turned to another late addition, former Arsenal winger Nicolas Pépé. After struggling to find consistency at Trabzonspor, Pépé has surprised many by stepping up for Villarreal. His goal against Sevilla in the previous round demonstrated his ability to deliver in clutch moments, and it now looks like Villarreal's last-minute summer signings have been shrewd moves. As they prepare to face Real Madrid, Villarreal's belief is sky-high, and with no European distractions, they may fancy their chances of overtaking Los Blancos with a win.

Real Madrid vs. Villarreal: A Rollercoaster Rivalry

This upcoming clash between Real Madrid and Villarreal has added significance given both teams’ recent form. Last season, Real Madrid convincingly won their home fixture 4-1, but it was the thrilling 4-4 draw in the reverse fixture that remains etched in fans' memories. In that encounter, Madrid led 3-0 at halftime, only for Villarreal to stage a dramatic comeback and equalize within 10 minutes of the second half. It was a rollercoaster game that left both sets of fans stunned and reminded everyone just how unpredictable these matches can be.

Real Madrid will be keen to avoid another slip-up against Villarreal, especially with Barcelona already creating a gap at the top of the table. Villarreal, on the other hand, will see this as an opportunity to push higher up the table and make a statement by defeating one of La Liga’s heavyweights. However, it’s worth noting that Villarreal have yet to keep a clean sheet this season, something Madrid will look to exploit despite their current struggles in front of goal.

Espanyol’s Struggles Against Mallorca’s Defensive Masterclass

Meanwhile, another key story from this round of La Liga is Mallorca’s defensive revival under coach Jagoba Arrasate. The former Osasuna boss has quickly turned Mallorca into one of the hardest teams to break down in Spain, and their rise into the European places has taken many by surprise. Under Arrasate, Mallorca’s defense has been nothing short of exceptional, conceding just six goals in their first eight matches—a significant improvement on last season.

In their upcoming match against Espanyol, Mallorca will be confident of extending their winning streak. Espanyol, after a promising start to the campaign, have now lost three consecutive matches and find themselves slipping dangerously close to the relegation zone. Last round, Espanyol managed to hold Real Betis for 85 minutes before finally conceding, marking the third time this season that Espanyol have lost by narrow margins. Despite their best efforts to keep matches tight, Espanyol’s inability to see out games has left them in a precarious position.

Arrasate’s Defensive Blueprint

Arrasate’s success with Mallorca has been rooted in his defensive philosophy. When he was appointed in July, there were questions about whether he could replicate his success at Osasuna, where his teams were known for their resilience. So far, he has exceeded expectations, with Mallorca’s backline proving even stronger than Osasuna’s.

Arrasate has emphasized the importance of team shape over individual brilliance, which has allowed Mallorca to excel despite not having the most talented defenders in La Liga. His philosophy seems to echo a broader belief in Spanish football: that a well-organized defense does not necessarily need world-class defenders but rather a cohesive system. The coach’s impact has been so profound that Mallorca now find themselves sitting above Osasuna in the standings, purely on goal difference.

Espanyol’s Waning Form and Mallorca’s Advantage

Espanyol, by contrast, are struggling to find the form that saw them start the season with promise. The Catalan side's inability to stop conceding late goals has been their undoing in recent matches, and it doesn’t get any easier for them with an in-form Mallorca up next. While it’s still early in the season, Espanyol need to pick up points soon to avoid getting drawn into a relegation battle.

Mallorca, meanwhile, will be looking to capitalize on Espanyol’s frailties and continue their climb up the table. With Arrasate’s defensive structure clicking into place, Mallorca have a great chance to extend their unbeaten run. Espanyol will need to dig deep if they are to prevent another defeat, but based on current form, it’s hard to see past a Mallorca victory.

As La Liga rolls on, these storylines highlight the importance of balance, both in attack and defense. Whether it’s Real Madrid searching for a solution up front or Mallorca continuing to excel with their newfound defensive identity, the next few rounds promise even more drama as the race for European spots heats up.