RCD Mallorca: Back to Back Wins
Real Mallorca moved up to fifth place in the La Liga table and a European qualifying position after a last-gasp win against Real Betis in Sevilla on Monday 23 September. The victory in the Benito Villamarin stadium is even more creditable as the Palma side were without talisman striker Verdat Muriqi who is expected to be out of action for at least a month with a muscular injury and Japanese winger Asano who will probably be fit again in 2 weeks time. Head coach Arrasate rang the changes bringing in misfiring striker Cyle Larin to lead the line in place of Muriqi.
The omens were not good when out of nothing in the 7th minute Giovanne le Celso fired in a rocket shot from outside the area. The former Tottenham man has hit a rich vein of form since his move to Andalucia. He was later shown a red card for a rash challenge on midfield dynamo Samu Costa but the decision was correctly reversed to a yellow card by VAR. This Mallorca team have developed a resilience not seen for a long time and within 2 minutes equalised. Larin, having his best ever game, played a neat reverse pass into Dani Rodriguez who gleefully slotted home from a good angle. The rest of the match developed into something akin to a basketball type affair with play moving rapidly from one end to the other.
After the restart Abde, a summer transfer target for Mallorca, hit the post and the ball rolled across the goal line hitting the other post before being cleared to safety. Dominik Grief in the Mallorca goal came to his side’s rescue with two stunning saves. In the closing stages it seemed like Betis might grab a winner but 4 minutes into injury time the home fans held their heads in disbelief. Portuguese winger Chuiqhuino on loan from Wolves and on as a substitute took a corner headed on by Costa and it was rammed home by another substitute Valery. This was the first time in 10 years that Mallorca have won away at Betis and the celebrations in the away dressing room were ecstatic.
A week earlier RCD Mallorca defeated Real Sociedad at home with a one-nil win thanks to a penalty from ¨Mr. Mallorca¨ Abdon Prats in the 35th minute. The scoreline flattered the visitors as the home team dominated the game. Midfielder Sergi Darder had his best game following a big money move from Espanyol at the start of last season. It doesn’t appear to be a coincidence that Arrasate is getting the best out of Darder and Larin. The whole squad has adopted the high press approach which is a welcome change from the dour negative approach of his predecessor Aguirre. The Mexican steadied the Palma side and kept them in La Liga but it’s time to kick on and look upwards in the table instead of consolidation.
Only three days earlier Mallorca were unlucky to lose at home to Villareal who took the lead with an outstanding header from Logan Costa in the 27th minute. The home side responded and Japanese winger Asano sent over a dipping cross that the ¨Yellow Submarine¨ defender Raul Albiol deflected into his own net. Disaster struck when the reds defender Toni Lato was rightly sent off for a high challenge with twenty minutes left in the game. Villareal smelt victory and won the game with two minutes left with a strike from Ayoze.
On the day of the transfer window slamming shut (it never closes with a whisper does it?) RCD Mallorca won away at Leganes with a slender one-nil win thanks to a headed goal from Dani Rodriguez. The home side were promoted at the end of last season and appeared out of their depth against Arrasate’s attacking style.
At the death of the transfer window Mallorca pulled off three signings. As mentioned, winger Chuiqhuino arrived from Wolves.Match winner Valery Fernandez came from Girona and is a very useful utility addition being able to play on either flank and fullback. The most intriguing signing Robert Navarro came from Real Sociedad. He is an exciting forward player and scored a tremendous goal for the Spanish under 21 team in the international break. He is being eased into the team and looks an exciting prospect.
After the win at Betis, RCD Mallorca now face two more away games on the trot. A visit to Valladolid on 27 September is next up. It would be fitting if Cyle Larin could score against his former team. On 5 October there is a visit to Barcelona to play the other team from that city Espanyol. This Mallorquinista is taking the short trip to Catalunya for the game and will publish a detailed diary of events!
