RCD Mallorca: Time to Reflect
Real Mallorca played their last game before yet another international break at home to Atletico Madrid on Sunday the 10th of November. All the indications were that a nil-nil draw was on the cards as the two teams had the best defensive records in La Liga in terms of goals conceded. The first half was a sterile chess game with defences on top. The only highlight was a header by the much maligned Larin which Atletico’s keeper Oblak tipped over the bar.
Into the second half, visiting French defender Lenglet wrestled Larin to the ground. A clear foul and bookable offence. As Lenglet had been booked in the first half a yellow and automatic red card were clear but the ref bottled it and just gave a free kick. Mallorca head coach Arrasate, normally mild mannered, went apoplectic at the fourth official and was promptly yellow carded. To rub salt into the wounds a Mallorca corner was caught by Oblak and launched upfield towards Giuliano Simeone — the son of the Atletico coach. Mallorca’s covering fullback Maffeo only had to head the ball out of play but inexplicably decided to try and obstruct Simeone who shrugged him off and passed to Alvarez to tap in.
Abdon Prats had one final chance to equalise but Oblak was equal to the effort. When two teams have such solid defences it is often one mistake which leads to a winner. As Arrasate wryly observed there were two mistakes in this game. One by the referee and one by Maffeo.
With 13 of 38 matches played, virtually a third of the season has gone by. It’s time to reflect on the progress made under new head coach Jagoba Arrasate since his appointment in the summer. The previous incumbent Javier Aguirre held the position for two and a half seasons, keeping the side in La Liga in the first half season and then consolidating in the lower reaches in the following two seasons. His crowning glory was guiding the side to the Copa del Rey Final in Sevilla in April this year, losing to Athletic Bilbao on penalties. He is notorious for his defensive attitude sticking rigidly to a five man defensive formation and is currently head coach of his native Mexican national team. His nickname is El Vasco as both his parents were born in the Basque Country of Spain.
Arrasate arrived from Osasuna to replace Aguirre with a reputation for playing free flowing attractive football and has been preaching this to his pupils at Mallorca. They have responded well although there is a feeling amongst fans that there is more to come. The coach specifically asked the club to sign Colombian international left back Johan Mojica and he has been a revelation. He is the antithesis of a modern fullback with attacking flair and an ability to get crosses into the box for Muriqi to feed on. He is also good defensively with his pace to get back and tackle aggressively.
Another signing the Japanese winger Asano looked very lively in the opening games but suffered an injury that is proving difficult to shake off.
Robert Navarro, another signing, has taken the place of Asano with a different style. Lacking the pace of Asano he makes up for it with clever dribbling skills which has fans on the edge of their seats.
One thing that has improved radically since last season and that is the away form. For many years Mallorca have not had a good record on their travels. They have already won three games on the road which is one more than the whole of last season. Three defeats away are also on record including the dreadful show at Alaves with a much changed team and an expected loss at bogey team Espanyol.
Two players who are relishing life under Arrasate are goalkeeper Dominik Greif and midfielder Samu Costa. The latter has been called into the Portugal squad for the first time after his coach on the island removed defensive shackles from him and allowing him to express his creativity. He is one of those “Duracell” types who never stops running and his statistics show that he has covered more ground than any other player in La Liga.
Greif has been rewarded with a call back into the Slovakian squad after a three-year absence. His first two seasons at the club were virtually non existent due to injuries. However last season he played all the games in the Copa del Rey including the final. He was outstanding and was expected to be number one choice this year when Rakjovic left for a lucrative contract in Saudi Arabia. Mallorca-born keeper Leo Roman returned from a season long loan at Oviedo where he appeared in every game with rave reviews. Arrasate has resolved the problem of keeping two excellent goalkeepers happy by rotating them as starter from game to game. This is a practice which is virtually unheard of in professional football. To be fair both of them have performed admirably when called upon. Arrasate’s reputation for attacking football has not been at a detriment to the defence as Mallorca have, as mentioned, one of the best records for goals conceded in La Liga. Veteran central defenders Valjent and “Captain Fantastic” Raillo have been imperious.
After the international break Mallorca resume with with a trip to the Canaries to play Las Palmas on 23rd November followed by Valencia at home on Friday 29th at 21.00. The club responded to the awful disaster in the Valencia area by arranging for emergency supplies to be collected at the Son Moix Stadium from the public and for onward delivery to the area most in need. A number of players including Toni Lato a former Valencia player helped out and he was visibly emotional throughout the proceedings.
