A fter a week when UK press reported warnings by “experts” to use plastic carved pumpkins for Halloween – as real ones attract squirrels and rats who like to nibble and nest in them ! – Real Mallorca face a daunting task on Sunday night at 9pm when they play Real Betis in their temporary home, La Cartuja in Sevilla. Their normal stadium, Benito Villamarin, is being renovated.
Last Sunday afternoon in the pouring rain, Mallorca drew 1-1 with Levante in Son Moix. After beating Sevilla 2-3 the week before, there was a glimmer of optimism among us Mallorquinistas, especially with our attacking trio of Jan Virgili, Mateo Joseph and Vedat Muriqi in great form. Ten minutes of inspiration against Sevilla saw us win our first game on the road this season.
Our high expectations crashed and burnt in the rain but this time it wasn’t our attack that let us down but our defence. On the day that Antonio Raillo and Martin Valjent were honoured before the Levante game for playing their 300th and 250th game respectively, these two “Titanium Titans,” along with Mojica, performed poorly.
Levante’s opener was a comedy of errors and if it wasn’t for the excellence of our goalkeeper Leo Roman in the 94th minute, Mallorca would have lost the game. Both central defenders were caught several times in possession trying to carry the ball too far out of defence. Last season we were prone to losing late goals, especially in the second half of the season, but now it’s early doors where Mallorca’s defence is struggling to find consistency.
The first half last Sunday was the best we’ve played this season but no matter what webs of intricacies our attackers weaved, none of them found the net. There was a distinct lack of accuracy especially from Sergi Darder who missed an absolute sitter after 20 minutes. One part of the Mallorca set up that really makes me mad is the lack of service given to Muriqi. Against Levante he was nowhere to be seen (not his fault), spending more time on the flanks and playing with his back to goal. When he plays for his country (Kosovo) he rarely strays from his position in the middle of attack but now with us he spends more time playing out wide.
One Mallorca player whose situation has turned a full circle is Pablo Maffeo. His goal against Levante with his weaker left foot saved the day. This is the same Maffeo who ended last season badly with certain Mallorca fans, the same Maffeo who wanted to leave, and the same Maffeo who turned down several transfer deals which didn’t appeal to him. Nottingham Forest, Panathinaikos and Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro were all after his signature. In the space of just a few weeks the Sant Joan Despi (Girona area) full back has returned to his roots starting on the right side of defence.
Mallorca coach Jagoba Arrasate reached his 50th game in charge last Sunday. His records so far read 15 games won, 12 draws and 23 lost. Although he has only made 50 appearances with Mallorca, he’s already a veteran of the Spanish First Division where he’s made 286 appearances from his spells at Real Sociedad and above all Osasuna where he was a hero.
The coach, born in Berriatua in the Basque country 47 years ago, has a contract with Mallorca until June 2027 after arriving here in 2024. He made a huge impact in his first six months on the island but 2025 hasn’t done him any favours. I find some of his team selections and substitutions a wee bit strange and I don’t know why after we beat Sevilla 1-3 he didn’t select the same unchanged team to face Levante.
CUP MATCH REPORT – Real Mallorca will be in the draw for the second round of the Copa del Rey after a “soporific” 0-2 win on Wednesday night against Sant Just (from the sixth tier of Spanish football), who had a player sent off in the 24th minute. They proceeded to play better with 10 men whereas Mallorca didn’t have a shot on target in the first half. Two minutes after the restart, a Torre corner was headed goalward by Abdon Prats. His effort was going wide but Picon deflected the ball into his own net. Abdon then made it 0-2 with a toe poke in what was a poor performance from Real Mallorca. Getafe put 11 past another sixth division side on Tuesday night. Mallorca were lucky to get two.
AND FINALLY, Three Aussie guys, Shane, Ricky and Jeff, are working on a high rise building project in Wagga Wagga. Shane falls off the scaffolding and is killed instantly. As the ambulance takes the body away, Ricky says “Someone should go and break the news to his wife.” Jeff replies “OK, I’m pretty good at that sensitive stuff, I’ll do it.” Two hours later, Jeff comes back carrying a case of Fosters. Ricky asks “Where did you get that, Jeff ?” Jeff replies “Shane’s wife gave it to me.” Ricky, surprised, says “That’s unbelievable ! You told her her husband was dead and she gave you the beer ?” “Well, not exactly,” Jeff explains, “When she answered the door I said ‘You must be Shane’s widow’ and she said ‘I’m not a widow’ so I said ‘I’ll bet you a case of Fosters that you are’ !”