Real Madrid's highly anticipated season opener against Mallorca ended in disappointment as they were held to a 1-1 draw. New signings Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham were unable to make an impact, leaving Vinicius Jr as the only offensive threat. The Brazilian's struggles were compounded by his history of racial abuse at Mallorca's stadium, leading to a tense atmosphere throughout the match. Napoli also suffered a disastrous start to their Serie A campaign, losing 3-0 to Verona and losing star midfielder Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to injury. Meanwhile, city rivals Lazio had a strong start, winning 3-1 against Venezia.
Real Madrid and Napoli Stumble in Season Openers
LaLiga and Serie A giants Real Madrid and Napoli suffered disappointing starts to their respective seasons over the weekend.
Real Madrid Held by Mallorca
Real Madrid's much-hyped season opener against Mallorca on Sunday ended in a 1-1 draw. Despite new signings Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham in their ranks, the Spanish champions struggled to find their rhythm.
Mbappe and Bellingham failed to make a significant impact, leaving Vinicius Jr. as the only consistent offensive threat. His performance was overshadowed by the history of racial abuse he has faced at Mallorca's stadium, creating a hostile atmosphere throughout the match.
Napoli's Disaster at Verona
In Italy, Napoli endured a disastrous start to their Serie A title defense on Saturday. The Partenopei were humiliated 3-0 by a resurgent Verona side.
Napoli suffered a major blow when star midfielder Khvicha Kvaratskhelia suffered an injury in the opening minutes. The Georgian winger was instrumental in Napoli's Scudetto triumph last season and his absence will be a major setback for Luciano Spalletti's team.
Lazio's Strong Start
In contrast to their city rivals, Lazio made a strong start to their Serie A campaign with a 3-1 victory over Venezia. Maurizio Sarri's side showed impressive attacking flair, with newcomer Luka Romero scoring a stunning solo goal.
Top 5 FAQs
1. Why did Real Madrid struggle against Mallorca?
Real Madrid's new signings failed to make an impact, and Vinicius Jr. was targeted by racial abuse, creating a tense atmosphere.
2. What is the significance of Kvaratskhelia's injury for Napoli?
Kvaratskhelia was Napoli's key player last season, and his absence could be a major setback for their title defense.
3. Who scored Lazio's solo goal against Venezia?
Luka Romero, the 17-year-old Argentine forward, scored a stunning solo goal for Lazio.
4. What is the history of racial abuse at Mallorca's stadium?
Mallorca's stadium has been known for incidents of racial abuse, particularly against black players like Vinicius Jr.
5. When is Real Madrid's next match?
Real Madrid's next match is against Espanyol in LaLiga on August 28. Napoli will face Monza in Serie A on August 21.
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