The local press have nicknamed Real Mallorca as Bipolar Mallorca in the light of recent results – capable of highs and lows from game to game. After the morale-sapping home defeat to Barcelona, Arrasate’s men had a chance to redeem themselves with an away fixture in Galicia against Celta Vigo.
Celta Vigo v RCD Mallorca (2-0)
The head coach decided to make no less than eight changes to his starting line up including Van der Heyden and Llabres who had barely kicked a ball for the first team this season. The team played like they had barely been introduced to each other and a goal by Hugo Alvarez before the break gave the home side the lead, which they never really looked like relinquishing.
In the second half Arrasate introduced all his substitutes without effect and in the 82nd minute veteran Aspas sealed the win. Inexplicably with the game lost captain Antonio Raillo handled the ball as the last defender and was shown a red card. He was suspended for the last home game this calendar year against Girona on the 6th December and more bad news came from the training camp when Samu Costa suffered a muscle injury which will sideline him for a month. He has been the most consistent player this season and was rightly rewarded with a call up to the Portugal national team.Â
RCD Mallorca v Girona (2-1)
The omens didn’t look good and barely after the kick off Van der Beek latched on to a loose clearance to put the visitors from Catalonia ahead. However a fine move involving Darder and Muriqi who put the ball on a plate for Cyle Larin to equalise. Moments later Muriqi was involved in a tussle with Bryan Gil who is on loan from Tottenham Hotspur and the referee was told to consult VAR. Replays showed that Muriqi had gone into the challenge with his studs up and clattered Gil on the ankle. A red card was the inevitable result but despite being a man light Larin should have put Mallorca ahead with a downward header that bounced over the bar. The real controversy came a few minutes later when Girona´s Van der Beek went in studs up on the ankle of Mallorca’s Copete and the referee waved play on. Copete then signalled to the referee with the VAR screen sign and he was promptly booked. The crowd were furious and stand-in captain Martin Valjent, enquired why VAR wasn’t consulted and he was booked! Complete double standards. Mallorca were not to be outdone and in the 50th minute, Girona tried to play out from the back when Juanpe misplaced a pass to goalkeeper Gazzaniga and Larin tackled the keeper and the ball ended up in the net. The home fans were right behind the ten men who defended valiantly to see out the win. It was a tremendous atmosphere and the players celebrated long and hard with the fans after showing the best side of their character in adversity.
Getafe v RCD Mallorca (0-1)
Mallorca travelled to Getafe in the suburbs pf Madrid without the suspended Muriqi. The home side are widely regarded as the least attractive team in the Spanish league relying heavily on team work and little guile.
Head coach Arrasate was finally able to name Japanese winger Asano in the starting line up after months out with injury. It wasn’t a match for the purists but Mallorca ran out 1-0 winners thanks to a penalty from Larin. The Canadian International has been an enigma at the Son Moix Stadium since his big money arrival from Valladolid at the start of last season being likened to Bambi on ice and his apparent indifferent attitude. However his 2 goal display against Girona the week previously seems to have rejuvenated his career. He chased and harried Getafe’s defenders all game and won the penalty in the 53rd minute and duly dispatched the spot kick. Mallorca’s rock solid defence saw the game out comfortably and goalkeeper Greif was in fine form. The year 2024 ended with Mallorca on 30 points and firmly in the qualification places for European competition next season. Apart from the odd blip the Arrasate transformation of the club is in fine form.
January '25
Bizarrely this was the last game to be played at the Son Moix Stadium for over a month as we have to wait until the 26th January when Real Betis come to town. Before then, RCD Mallorca has made a trip to another Galician side Pontevedra in the Copa del Rey and a controversial trip to Saudi Arabia to face Real Madrid in the semi final of the Spanish Super Cup and a possible place in the final. A visit to Villareal on the 20th of January in La Liga precedes the visit of Betis.