Charles Nutter returns with his latest take on Mallorca’s turbulent fortnight — from transfer speculation and financial complexities to two damaging defeats that have dragged the Islanders into the relegation zone. With tough fixtures ahead and familiar problems resurfacing, the pressure is mounting at precisely the wrong moment in the season.
Barcelona Away and Transfer Speculation
After the euphoria of the home win against Sevilla Mallorca travelled to Barcelona to face the La Liga leaders with almost a free hit as the Catalunya side had won all of their home games this season. Pre match there was a lot of press scrutiny and social media posts about Jan Virgili and Pablo Torre who the Islanders bought from Barca in the summer for 3.5 million euros and 5 million euros respectively.
Speculation surrounds the potential future transfers of the players. Virgili is already attracting attention from bigger clubs after half a season here and he could well be a wild card for the Spanish national team in this year´s World Cup. He has a buyout clause of 30 million euros which means if a club puts that amount of money on the table then he will leave. Often offers lower than the buyout clause are accepted and if that is the case then Barcelona have the right to match that bid to take him back. They actually retain 50% of the players rights in any event so if he goes somewhere else then they pocket 50% of the profit that Mallorca make. Player finance is complicated these days and the situation is slightly different with Torre. Barcelona retain the right to buy him back at a fee to be agreed so if he is performing well then he will return. Barca will receive 50% of the profit if he goes elsewhere.
Football Director Pablo Ortells responded to criticism of the lack of incoming transfers in the winter window by saying that every penny of the permitted salary cap is on the pitch. Zito Luvumbo was the only senior recruit, another non scoring striker, and young Frenchman Justin Kalumbo was signed for the B team as one for the future.
After 60 minutes against Sevilla Japanese winger Asano was diagnosed with yet another muscle injury keeping him out for 4 / 5 weeks. His contract expires in the summer and he is unlikely to remain on the island. He has pace and is clearly talented but he has a poor injury record.
As expected Torre started the game against Barca with a lot to prove – both to his previous employers and to head coach Arrasate with an opportunity to prove to the latter that he is worth a regular place in the side.
From the start Mallorca were the better team for 30 minutes with Virgili beating French defender Kounde time after time. He teed up Muriqi who shot wide and had a brilliant effort saved by the home keeper Garcia. After half an hour veteran Polish striker Levandowski pounced on a loose ball to give Barca the lead. He had not featured at all and this is the difference in class. Give him one opportunity and he scores – Mallorca need many more chances to score one. That goal knocked the stuffing out of the visitors who conceded two more in the second half. They were not disgraced by any means and approached the home game with high flying Real Betis on the 15th of February with confidence.
Mallorca prior to the game hadn’t kept a clean sheet in 8 consecutive games and this had to be addressed.
Real Betis: First Half Collapse
It didn’t take long on the 15th of February for the confidence to dissipate from the fans point of view. In the starting line up Arrasate named Mateo Joseph on the right wing. Joseph is on a season long loan from Leeds United and he has been distinctly underwhelming. He achieved nothing in the first 45 minutes and was substituted at half time. By then the damage had been done as the home side were trailing 0 – 2. Joseph was not the only player to underperform and there is such an apparent lack of urgency and energy throughout the side.
In the first minute a dreadful mix up between Samu Costa and keeper Leo Roman allowed Marco Roca an empty goal to aim for but thankfully he hit the post. The visitors had substantial support in the stadium as many Beticos live and work on the island. The bright spot for Mallorca , as always, was Jan Virgili who frequently beat his man on the wing but the visitors had done their homework and he was marked by 2 or men throughout. The team from Sevilla were celebrating in the 18th minute when Antony ( ex Manchester United ) had a shot parried by Roman but Adebe picked up the rebound to open the scoring. Those two speedy wingers were running Mallorca ragged and just before half time Antony fed Bakumbu to score the second. Ironically the scorer was a target for the Islanders in the winter transfer window.
Second Half Response and Relegation Reality
Luvumbo, the winter signing, came on for Joseph and he showed some promise but his lethargic teammates weren’t spotting his runs from the wing.
Surprisingly on 66 minutes Darder played in a rare pinpoint cross which Muriqi headed in brilliantly for his 16th goal of the season. Suddenly the team were energised and mounted more attacks. Where on earth was the energy in the preceding hour. As Mallorca pushed forward Sevilla had more chances on the break and Antony had another effort saved by Roman and then our centre back David Lopez (from Arta) cleared a certain goal off the line. Sevilla comfortably saw out the game. Two defeats in two is relegation form. A victory against Betis would have seen the side move up to twelfth however victories for Getafe, Valencia Rayo Vallecano and Girona ( against Barcelona ! ) and draws for Osasuna, Sevilla, Alaves and Elche leave the Palma side in the bottom three and therefore the relegation zone.
There is little room for optimism with an away game next at Celta Vigo on the 22nd of February and a home fixture against Real Sociedad at 18.30 on the 28th of February.. Both opponents are riding high in La Liga. Somehow and somewhere the Islanders have to find a way to win or the prospect of second division football is a reality.
