After a week when the top three Welsh movies up for the prestigious “Yaki Da” (Oscars) awards were announced – they are (3) 9½ Leeks, (2) Dial M for Merthyr and (3) Dai Hard – Real Mallorca, deep in the relegation mire, have another tricky game away against Girona in their Montilivi stadium tonight (Friday, May 1) at 9pm. The Palma side have only won one match on the road all season and somehow with just five matches left to play (two in Palma and three on the road), their away game hoodoo must be broken tonight.
Tonight’s match is one of the most challenging away fixtures for Real Mallorca in this decisive stretch. The home side go into tonight’s game with the possibility of virtually securing their place in La Liga for another season, which adds a layer of difficulty. They will play without too much pressure on the standings but with the added motivation of clinching their objective in front of their own fans. Montilivi is a tough gig to play in these conditions and Girona usually thrive at home.
For Mallorca tonight’s game is massive with the pressure off the scale. The question being asked through social media outlets from Mallorca fans is “Do Real Mallorca have the skills to avoid relegation?” It’s hard to imagine them staying in the top flight when last Saturday at Alaves we barely managed three shots in the whole 95 minutes played, but we mustn’t lose heart.
During the first half last Saturday we looked to be on the way to our second away win of the season. Then in the second half the syndrome that seemed to grip Mallorca under its previous coach every time they took an early lead reared its ugly head, struggling to defend their lead. It happened in Elche in another clash with a relegation rival and it’s happened twice this season against Osasuna when we’ve gone two goals up. The half-time break has become a negative turning point – we’re fired up in the first half and a damp squib in the second.
It’s tighter than a sumo wrestler’s jockstrap in the bottom part of La Liga with no fewer than nine teams separated by just six points, from Rayo on 39 points in 11th place to Levante on 33 in 19th. The relegation roulette wheel is spinning and there’s no stopping it now. All that remains is to find out which three numbers will be chosen by the wheel to determine which sides will be relegated to the Spanish second division next season.
The distribution of points in the relegation zone is completely bonkers. Last weekend Alaves, Valencia and Elche all won, Mallorca, Oviedo, Girona and Sevilla all lost, while Rayo Vallecano and Levante drew. Mallorca, currently with 35 points in 17th position, continue to walk the relegation tightrope after a second half capitulation against Alaves saw them throw away a 0-1 half-time lead to lose 2-1.
With three away games remaining, Mallorca have to get points somehow if they don’t want to fall into the abyss of the second division. The away game schedules – Girona, Getafe (playing for a European place next season) and Levante (the most improved team in La Liga over the past month) – doesn’t exactly fill fans with confidence for one simple reason: we are the worst away team in the league.
The almost good news is our two remaining home games. Against Villareal, who have already secured a place in next season’s Champions League and their only incentive would be to secure a respectable third place in La Liga, so they may take their foot off the gas. Our last game is at home to Oviedo who by the end of this month could well be relegated.
For tonight’s game the Angolan flying machine Zito Luvumbo is expected to return after a hamstring tweak. Coach Demichelis must pick the Mallorca team who did so well against Real Madrid and Rayo.
In football it’s been proven time and time again that changing a line-up that works can backfire. Sergi Darder against Alaves played in the position that had seen him underperform under Arrasate.
Samu Costa and Morlanes should start as central midfielders with Pablo Torre in the attacking midfield role. That choice has given Mallorca a new identity, with Darder being the main axis of this structure. Against Alaves, Darder was absent. Against Real Madrid and Rayo, he played like the player he was at his previous club Espanyol putting him on the fringe of the Spanish national team. Virgili must play from the start.
The youngster oozes class and every time he’s on the ball something’s going to happen. One thing I couldn’t understand at Alaves was with time running out and Mallorca chasing the game, Demichelis brought on Lato and Mateu Jaume – both defenders! The situation at Real Mallorca is critical and there’s no margin for error – it’s going to be a bumpy ride !
AND FINALLY, it’s Saturday morning and Ken is about to play a round of golf. He suddenly remembers he hadn’t told his wife that the washing machine repairman was coming at 12 noon, so Ken phones to remind her. “Hello,” says a little girl’s voice. “Hello, it’s Daddy, sweetheart is Mummy there?”
“No Daddy, she’s upstairs in the bedroom with Uncle Frank.” Ken says “Sweetheart, you haven’t got an Uncle Frank.”
“Yes, I do, Daddy. He’s upstairs in bed with Mummy.” “Okay,” says Ken, “put the phone down, run upstairs, knock on the bedroom door and shout ‘Mummy and Uncle Frank, Daddy’s car has just pulled up outside’.” A few minutes later the little girl comes back to the phone, “I did what you said, Daddy. Mummy jumped out of bed with no clothes on, ran around screaming, then she tripped over the rug and fell out the window, Now she’s all dead.” Ken replies “Oh my God, and what about Uncle Frank?” The little girl says “He jumped out of bed with no clothes on, too, jumped out the back window into the swimming pool, which was empty as you were cleaning it, and now he’s all dead too.” There was a long pause then Ken said “Swimming pool?.…..is this 923 4769 ?”