LAUDRUP HOPING FOR CLOSE REAL GAME

Real Madrid will prove a big test for Mallorca this weekend, Michael Laudrup has asserted, but he has promised that his men will go to the Bernabeu to play their normal game, according to the Free Football Bets website.

Els Barralets met los Blancos on the opening day of the season at the Estadio Iberostar and picked up a scoreless draw, but the Dane believes the going will be tougher on Sunday evening.

“The big teams need three or four games to take their physical form and get acquainted,” he warned Marca. “Now they are a better team and actually stronger because they know how to play.

“We must reduce the space for players of quality like [Cristiano] Ronaldo, [Mesut] Oezil, [Angel] di Maria, [Karim] Benzema and Kaka, and not let them get between the lines. The individual quality of Xabi Alonso is no secret and we have to push him.”

Despite these threats, Laudrup, a former Merengue himself, is confident his side can spring a surprise. “In Barcelona, we drew after a great effort in the first half. If you think it is an impossible task, why do you play?” he questioned.

“We must go not only with words but with the belief we can. Madrid are always favourites on their field, but we should be convinced something can be done. If it was in Barcelona, it can also be in Madrid.”