Getafe 3 - Real Mallorca 1
For Real Mallorca supporters, nights like this with a painful 3-1 defeat are all too familiar. In a match that began with hope, urgency and the promise of survival points, it ended in frustration, defensive chaos and another step towards the precipice. Before kick off there was genuine belief among Mallorquinistas that this was a chance to take a decisive step towards safety. Last weekend’s draw against Villareal had shown spirit and despite injuries and suspensions, especially from the sorely missed Samu Costa, the team still appeared capable of grinding out a result.
On Wednesday night Mallorca’s back line never looked comfortable and it was no surprise when Getafe took the lead in the 14th minute. Once again our defensive organisation was at fault, something that has haunted Real Mallorca all season. What hurt most for us fans was not simply conceding goals, but the way in which they arrived.
The second goal was catastrophic. There was total confusion between the defenders and goalkeeper Leo Roman as they gifted Getafe another opportunity. In a match of such importance, these kinds of mistakes are quite frankly unforgivable. Every clearance looked rushed, every transition dangerous, and the team seemed to lose confidence with every attack Getafe launched.
We played the kind of football we’d seen under previous coach Arrasate, sideways and backwards, and our goalkeeper touched the ball with his feet more times than any of our outfield players. We had a few brief moments that reminded us why this team is worth believing in. Once again Vedat Muriqi relentlessly ploughed a lone furrow upfront, despite limited service, and he came agonisingly close with a header that struck the crossbar.
Mallorca left the Coliseum less with a feeling of frustration and more of impotency. Omar Mascarell scored a consolation goal with a header and then was booked and will miss Sunday’s game at Levante. For a brief spell before that goal, there was a sense Mallorca might mount a comeback, but another defensive error gave Getafe their third goal. What should have been a night closer to safety instead became another reminder of how fragile this team can look away from Son Moix.
Mallorca remain trapped in a brutal relegation fight, level on points with several struggling sides and with almost no margin for error left. They now control their own destiny. Adding six points against Levante and Oviedo would guarantee our survival as it would be impossible for both Elche and Levante to catch up. That may well, on Wednesday night’s showing, be wishful thinking!