Bad omens: History suggests Real Madrid could fail in La Liga title defence | OneFootball

Real Madrid began their La Liga title defence last night as they took on Mallorca at Estadi de Son Moix. The result, however, did not quite go their way.

In just their first appearance of the season, Los Blancos slumped to a 1-1 draw and dropped points in the process, an occurrence that was very rare last season.

Starting on the wrong foot, needless to say, is not how the men in white would have liked their title defence to begin. After all, they now stare several bad omens in the eye.

Events that do not bode well

In what can only be described as a queer occurrence, no defending champions who have dropped points in the first game of the new campaign have successfully defended their title over the past five years in La Liga.

Real Madrid’s La Liga season started with a draw vs Mallorca. (Photo by JAIME REINA/AFP via Getty Images)

To win the trophy this season, thus, Los Blancos must break the ‘champions curse,’ although it is not the only bad omen.

No club has ever won La Liga after playing the first matchday in Mallorca, and Real Madrid must become the first team to do so if they are to win the league.

Further, their hunt for a second consecutive league title is challenging, as the men in white have not won two consecutive league titles in 16 years. The last time they did so was the 2006-07 and 2007-08 seasons.

More interestingly, they have not won back-to-back league titles with the same manager since the time of Leo Beenhakker 35 years ago.

After the unfortunate draw against Mallorca, Los Blancos will look to regroup and get back on the field against Real Valladolid later this week. The defence, as Ancelotti stressed, will be the department of interest.