Real Mallorca have had a tough start to the season with abysmal refereeing decisions, ridiculous kick off times and bad luck all combining to leave the Islanders with one point from a possible nine after the first three matches of the new La Liga season.
RCD Mallorca 1-1 Celta Vigo
After the well documented debacle of a defeat at home to Barcelona which has been described as nine-man Mallorca (after two sending offs) against twelve man Barca – the team plus the referee next up was a second home game against Celta Vigo on 23rd August with a 5pm kick off. Yes 5pm in Mallorca in August in blistering heat. Protests were made but La Liga refused to move the kick off time to a more reasonable 9pm. The home side were regarded as favourites but it appeared the exertions the previous week had taken its toll.
In soporific heat the first half was played at a snail’s pace with a paucity of chances. It would take a mistake to provide a goal and on the 38th minute a mix up between home keeper Leo Roman and Mojica allowed Rueda to chip the ball into an unguarded net.
At half time head coach Arrasate brought on Marash Kumbulla who had been signed from Roma during the week. He is an Albanian international central defender who was born in Italy – he was brought in to replace the departed Copete and Van der Heyden.
The shape was changed to a three-man defence with Morey and Mojica pushing forward as wingbacks. Celta began to sit back and Arrasate brought on Dani Rodriguez, Abdon and Marc Domenech. Pressure was exerted, Pablo Torres’ long distance effort was well saved by visiting goalkeeper Radu.
With time running out Domenech chased a ball that appeared to be drifting out of play and he hooked it across into the penalty area where Morey controlled it and calmly slotted home the equaliser. Mallorca huffed and puffed but couldn’t find a winner. It still felt like a win after being behind for so long.
Press reports post-match suggested that the Spanish football disciplinary committee in Madrid had threatened Real Mallorca with ground closure after one of the backroom staff threw a ball onto the pitch in the Celta Vigo game. One of the home sides physiotherapists, Magin Vicens, threw the ball onto the pitch interrupting a Celta throw in and was immediately shown a straight red card. Magin has been suspended for three matches for incorrect conduct and will miss match days 3, 4 and 5. There have been no further developments so hopefully the matter is closed.
In the days after the transfer activity began to hot up with the window about to close. Exits for Maffeo, Cyle Larin and Samu Costa are still being sought. Director of football Pablo Ortells travelled to Barcelona to meet his opposite number Deco in the reigning champion’s hierarchy. Discussions took place over the possible signings of young winger Jan Virgili, fullback Hector Fort and another young winger Dani Rodriguez. If the latter signed, training could be confusing having two players with the same name!
A deal was struck with Virgili being signed for three million euros. Barca retained 50% of the players rights and a buyback clause. He is highly regarded and a very tricky and pacey winger. Fort will only arrive on loan if a new club can be found for Maffeo.
Real Madrid 2-1 RCD Mallorca
Mallorca then faced a daunting prospect of travelling to face Real Madrid on 30th August in their impressive Bernabeu stadium in the capital. Were Los Blancos given a 5pm kick off time? Of course not – 9.30 pm was deemed appropriate by La Liga.
Arrasate opted for the three-man defence and Kumbulla looks like a very assured signing. He also opted for two strikers with Mateo Joseph (on loan from Leeds) partnering Muriqi up front. It was an equal start and on 18 minutes the home fans were silenced when Muriqi forced home Pablo Torre´s corner.
As expected Madrid threw everything at the Islanders and in the space of just 73 seconds the score was 2 – 1. Defensive uncertainty allowed Güler to equalise and a scuffed effort from Vinicius crept into the net. A lack of concentration was to blame maybe due to a sense of euphoria following Muriqi’s goal. In the second half, Mallorca competed on equal terms and Costa hit a goal-bound shot that full back Carreras somehow deflected over the bar.
Young Virgil was brought on in the dying minutes and after a brilliant run he was chopped down cynically by Militao. A yellow card in these circumstances never seems enough – maybe a ten minute sin bin should be introduced.
Madrid gave their visitors some form of convoluted respect by blatantly wasting time to see the game out. It was a valiant effort but at the end of the day the statistics show it as a defeat.
There is an international break now and hostilities resume on Monday 15th September when Mallorca travel to Catalunya to face Espanyol in their intimidating stadium — never a happy hunting ground for Arrasate’s men.
A home game against Atletico Madrid is then on the horizon – it gets tougher!