The La Liga season has come to an end with Real Mallorca finishing in a respectable 10th place. There is a lot to dissect in this Season Review, but first of all the last two games need to be mentioned.
The final home against Getafe on the 18th of May had fans salivating with the prospect of European football next season if the team won against visitors who had lost seven games on the bounce and needed one point to ensure mathematical safety in La Liga. As early as the second minute, Getafe hit the bar. Then Greif pulled off a miraculous one-handed save but could do nothing to prevent two early second half goals by the visitors. Larin scored a consolation goal in the final seconds but results elsewhere meant Mallorca could not qualify for Europe. Only 18,120 spectators turned up to witness a truly awful performance.
The final game at Rayo Vallecano on the 24th of May saw Mallorca play out a goalless draw with Greif again the man of the match. The point for the home side from a barrio of Madrid, with a smaller budget than the Islanders, was enough to ensure they will be representing Spain in the European Conference League next season – something the red’s fans dreamt of.
There were very ugly scenes at the Son Moix during the Getafe game. In the second half the “Ultras” behind the goal were singing that the players were already on holiday. Pablo Maffeo who had been substituted stood up to remonstrate and ask the fans to get behind the team. The Ultras responded with “Maffeo bete ya” meaning go now. When Larin scored in the dying seconds he held up one finger to his mouth suggesting the fans should stop barracking him. Of course he received a torrent of abuse.
Maffeo has long been a fans favourite because of his enthusiasm and aggressive approach and it is sad to report that his Mallorca career is almost certainly over with Real Betis his likely destination. Larin is a different kettle of fish – having been signed for over 8.5 million euros two seasons ago – his lacklustre attitude has done nothing to endear him to the fans. All supporters want to see a determined attitude and enthusiasm and that is not too much to ask of players who earn substantial salaries.
So what has gone wrong at the Son Moix? The first half of the season was full of promise with 30 points gained by halfway. One of the worst second halves of a season in a long time caused by a lack of ambition in the Winter transfer market, a limited bench bereft of game changers, and the absence of players like Asano, Robert Navarro, Vedat Muriqi and Manu Morlanes with long-term injuries.
Mallorca’s problems seemed to start in the ill-advised trip to Saudi Arabia for the Spanish Super Cup in Jeddah. Some of the Mallorca travelling party, which included players’ wives and girlfriends, were molested by local young Saudi Real Madrid supporters when exiting the ground. Club stalwart Dani Rodriguez’s wife was vehement in her protest about the incident. She complained that a half-hearted protest from Real Mallorca’s hierarchy didn’t go far enough as the Spanish FA didn’t want to rock the boat too much.
Having got all the way to the final of the Copa del Rey last season the team were unceremoniously dumped out of this seasons tournament (3-0) by Galician part-timers Pontevedra. Then a loss 4-0 away at Villareal really showed how far the team had sunk. Only 18 points were won in the second half of the season.
Major surgery is needed in the summer and a seven-hour secret meeting of the hierarchy in Illetes was called and the problems are not difficult to quantify. An examination of the players contracts and salaries reveals there are few options without first selling players. There are no senior players at the end of their deals. Obviously Maffeo and Larin (at a substantial loss) will be moved on. Copete has expressed a desire to leave for regular first team football elsewhere. One of the two outstanding goalkeepers will be leaving and Leo Roman is coveted by Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid for a bargain ten million euros.
Real Mallorca have one of the smallest budgets in La Liga for salaries. Striker Vedat Muriqi is the highest paid at 4.5 million euros per year and the next highest is central defender Martin Valjent at 2.5 million euros. Director of football Pablo Ortells has to convince talented players to come to the island for less than they earn now – a difficult task.
There will be many rumours and twists and turns before the start of the next season in August. Mallorquinista will keep you updated!