La Liga Table: Real Madrid Falls

Real Madrid suffered a 1-0 defeat to Espanyol at the RCDE Stadium, marking their third loss of the season, and allowing Atletico Madrid to close the gap to just one point in the La Liga table.

The only goal of the match came from Carlos Romero in the 85th minute, while Real Madrid had several chances, including a Vinicius Junior header that went wide of the post. The defeat ended Real's four-game winning streak and raised concerns about the team's defense, particularly with defender Antonio Rudiger's suspected hamstring injury.

Despite the loss, Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti remains confident that his team is still in control of the La Liga table. He expressed frustration over a foul not given against Espanyol that led to their winning goal and is waiting to assess the extent of Rudiger's injury. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid moved within a point of Real Madrid with a 2-0 win over Mallorca, fueled by goals from Luis Suarez and Yannick Carrasco.

The connection between Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Junior will be crucial in the team's bid to maintain their top position in the La Liga table. With Mbappe returning to form, scoring six goals in his last four games, and Vinicius expected to return from suspension, the team is poised for a strong performance. Their reunion could lead to a more explosive display, driving their success in the league and solidifying their position in the La Liga table.

As the battle for the top spot in the La Liga table intensifies, Real Madrid will need to regroup and rely on the strong connection between Mbappe and Vinicius Junior to overcome their recent setback and maintain their lead. The upcoming matches, including the highly anticipated clash against Atletico Madrid, will be crucial in determining the team's fate in the league.