Mallorca captain acknowledges the danger of facing Real Madrid star – ‘Have to look for everything’ | OneFootball

Mallorca captain Sergi Darder has shared his thoughts on the upcoming Spanish Super Cup clash against Real Madrid.

The match presents a significant challenge for Mallorca, not just on the pitch but also in terms of fan support.

Darder acknowledged the limited presence of Mallorca fans compared to last season’s Cup final, citing modern football’s realities as a barrier to greater fan representation in such international venues.

Focusing on the challenge of playing against Real Madrid, Darder stressed the importance of being at their absolute best.

He pointed out that success against a team of Real Madrid’s calibre requires them to have an off day and “against those teams you have to be at 100%,” he told El Larguero.

Thoughts on Vinicius Jr.

When asked about Vinicius Jr., Darder described him as “one of the best in the world.”

Sergi Darder is aware of Vinicius Jr.’s threat. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

Acknowledging Vinicius’s incredible talent, Darder emphasised the need to devise multiple strategies within the rules of the game to limit the Brazilian’s impact. He noted that stopping a player like Vinicius requires both respect and creativity.

“We have to look for everything we can within our legal power, obviously, to stop him (Vinicius)… We have to look for thousands of ways to be able to stop him, obviously, as long as there is respect,” he added.

Darder avoided giving direct advice but suggested that Vinicius’s personality and ability to handle pressure are part of what makes him exceptional.

“From the outside, we try to enjoy him as a player… I’m nobody to give him advice, so if his coach (Carlo Ancelotti) says he’s doing much better, well, we’ll have to listen to him.”

However, he also hinted that staying focused on football rather than external distractions would only enhance the Brazilian’s performance.

“But the less trouble he gets into, the more he’ll surely show off his talent… We can’t expect all players to be the same,” he noted.

Darder wrapped up his thoughts by stating that Mallorca’s strategy revolves around their collective strength and motivation.

While acknowledging Real Madrid’s quality, he remains optimistic about their chances of competing at the highest level if they stay disciplined and focused throughout the match.