After the calamitous relegation from La Liga on the 23 rd of May the club began the campaign for an instant return to the top table on the 15 th of August at home to Valladolid. Despite the 21,30 kick off time the match was played in stifling heat. The visitors are in a state of financial turmoil with a very small squad and they set out to contain the reds from the outset. New signing Roca seemed determined to take them on himself with several great runs beating a number of defenders before running out of steam and surrendering possession. If he could release the ball earlier to a team mate he will be a real threat in the future. Half time came and went without too much incident but everything changed on the 62 nd minute when Pablo Torre curled in a brilliant and unstoppable free kick from outside the penalty area. A moment of pure class. Ten minutes later substitute Alex Salas planted a corner on to the head of captain Antonio Raillo who converted the chance with consummate ease.
On the cusp of full time Salas hit the bar with a great shot and another sub Adrian Liso tucked away the rebound. As the fans celebrated the referee was holding his hand to his ear piece and it dawned on the crowd that VAR was in use in the Spanish Second Division ! Sure enough the goal was disallowed for offside.
It was a comfortable if not totally convincing victory but it was vital to get three points on the board in the opening game. The new head coach Garcia had only been in charge for six weeks and it will take time for the players to become accustomed to his style.
Next up is a trick visit to Granada on Monday the 24 th of August with a 21.30 kick off followed by a home game against Ceuta on the 30 th of August with a ludicrous kick off time of 19.00 in the Mallorca heat.
Summer Business
There had been an enormous turnover in personnel over the summer. After head coach Martin Demichelis pledged to stay and rebuild the team, two weeks later he decamped to the luxury of the Bundesliga and became head coach of RV Leipzig. So much for loyalty and the outburst against him on social media by the fans was vitriolic.
A search for a new head coach ended with former Mallorca player Luis Garcia being appointed. He had coached Las Palmas from Gran Canaria last season and led them to the playoffs but they couldn’t achieve promotion.
As expected there were numerous high profile departures and star striker Muriqi left to join Turkish side Fenerbache for 15.5 million euros. Outcast Cyle Larin joined Southampton for a nominal fee and Pablo Mafeo went to Greek club Olympiakos for 3 million. Deportivo La Coruna triggered the 9 million release clause for keeper Leo Roman, Omar Mascarell went to a Saudi club on a free transfer and Samu Costa joined Ronaldo at another Saudi Club Al Nassr for 25 million. Jan Virgil joined Club Bruges in Belgium for 12 million but a net figure of 8 million as Barcelona retained a percentage of the players rights. Wingers Takuma Asano and Javi Llabres were released at the end of their contracts.
On the plus side central defender and captain Raillo committed his future to the club as did his defensive partner Martin Valjent. Surprisingly midfielders Darder, Pablo Torre and Morlanes all elected to stay.
Striker Adrian Fuentes was signed from Cordoba for 2 million, Arnau Puigmal a wing back joined from Almeria on a free transfer and winger / striker Josep Cerda ( who was born in Pollensa ! ) came from Andorra for 2.5 million.
Despite the huge amount received in outgoing fees Mallorca were more prudent and savvy in signing a number of players on loan with an option to buy if promotion is achieved. Striker Luvumbo who was on loan last year from Cagliari in Italy, keeper Arnau Tenas from Villareal, French defender Aboubaka Soumahora from Hamburg, midfielder Alex Sala from Italian Club Lecce ,winger Antoniu Roca from Espanyol and winger Adrian Liso from Zaragoza all fall into this category.
There are likely to be at least two new signings with left back and a striker the priorities. In addition some fringe players are likely to move on. The transfer deadline closes on the 1 st of September.
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The Season Ahead
Fans were very upset that the cost of season tickets was only reduced by an average of less than 20 % whereas Oviedo who were also relegated reduced the cost by 50 %. Despite this the number of season tickets purchased was just over 20,000 – the highest number the club has ever achieved in the second division.
In the pre season prestigious City of Palma Trophy Mallorca faced European Champions Paris St. Germain ( without their World Cup stars ) and the home side ran out comfortable winners thanks to goals from Luvumbo, Virgili ( prior to his departure ) and Raillo in front of 17,000 spectators many of whom were tourists.
Charles Nutter
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