Mallorca-Villarreal
By: Jeremy |
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Sometimes you need a subtle hint of inspiration. Things get a little off track and you need to be reminded of all that is good in life.
As with life, in most teams seasons there are multiple turning points that can make a great season turn bad and a bad season good. There is nothing worse then the bad moment which destroys momentum and causes great anxiety for future games. We saw one last weekend on the road to Xerez. We still must focus on the subtle reminder that we are in the midst of a great season that is by no means over despite a loss to a bad team.
Xerez is the worst team in La Liga and after Webos nice header Mallorca was on its way to a vital three points to keep its miraculous season going. Despite the run of play going for Xerez, Mallorca got a penalty and if Aduriz finishes, its 2-0 game over and a vital three points on the road. Of course he misses and Mallorca loses the game. Check out the highlites..
These kinds of results are hard to forget and now we return home to get a real test from a slowly improving Villarreal side who at 26 points is sniffing Europe and moving to where most expect them to be. Mallorca sits in 5th at 34 points and a bad result at home this weekend, which would not be shocking, will make things even more tense as the team tries to keep its magical season going while trying to ignore the reality that is its financial uncertainty.
Villarreal has a new coach and some injury issues but the real test will be if Manzano can bring the confidence back to the club that will allow the home streak to continue.
Villarreal seems to be slowly moving back up but to get beat 2-0 at home last week by Osasuna really was a bit shocking.
Despite Mallorcas success, the finances always seem to creep up on the team at the worst time. Mallorca came very close to selling stalwart defender Ivan Ramis to Celtic for about 3million. Whether it was a change of heart or a delay in the paperwork, the deal did not go through and Ramis stays with us for the semester. Why a team fighting for Europe would sell one of its top two defenders for what is such a small sum is beyond me. If the finances are that bad and after all the sales of good players the past couple of years make 3mil needed in the middle of the season, then despite the great play, at some point we will be relegated because of financial irregularities rather then poor play. For all this team has achieved to survive and thrive these past few years, wouldnt it be ironic if we get relegated that way. Its like Al Capone going to prison for tax evasion.
The chinks in Mallorcas armor are starting to show with below average play in the last Copa round and a devasting loss to Xerez. Now we get a dangerous team in Villarreal that expects to be higher up the standings when all is said and done.
The home record speaks for itself and that should be enough to beat a mid table La Liga team. Mallorca is well rested, faces minimal injury issues, and needs a win to get back on track. However something about the look in Aduriz’s eyes after he missed that PK makes me think that he knows what that miss will cost the team and the loss is only the beginning.
The team still can inspire us without the fanfare of the bigger clubs so lets be reminded of all that is good and that the result this weekend is positive.
Prediction:
Mallorca 1-1 Villarreal
Prediction record to date:
11-9
Category: Mallorca Team News
Xerez-Mallorca
By: Jeremy | Add Comments
The schedule is really being kind to us this year as we begin the second half in the final Champions League spot and get the worst team in La Liga after a run of multiple games which has left us tired and needing a rest. For us to be real contenders for Europe however, this weekend is a must win even on the road to a team like Xerez.
Before we discuss Xerez, lets revisit the Copa where we won the second leg in Getafe 1-0 on Thursday on a nice header by Aduriz. While the team dug its own hole by losing 2-1 at home in the first leg, Aduriz missed a pk and there were numerous other missed chances in the second game and we should have won it atleast 2-0, which would have been enough to send us through to the semis. Very frustrating. Check out the highlites..
After a rough few weeks trying to progress in the Copa where all the big teams were knocked out and the Cup could have been won, Mallorca now settles in to the second half of the season and we begin where wr started in week 1, which is a match against Xerez.
When these teams first met, Mallorca had so much uncertainty and was a candidate for relegation while Xerez was newly promoted and ready to see if they could perform a miracle and stay up. A half a season later, Mallorca is in fourth, has another set of emerging players who replaced last years studs and the coach of the year in La Liga while Xerez is dead last with 8 points and even only half way through the season is an almost certainty to go down.
On the surface this should be an easy game for Mallorca. The team is motivated and wants to keep up the chase for Europe will Xerez has Segunda B level talent and will be lucky to finish the year with 20 points. They are one of the lowest scoring teams in the history of La Liga and while they recently named a new coach, their talent is on a level with their place in the standings.
This is still a road match and while the midweek Getafe game will give the team some road confidence, it still must fully concentrate to win this game. They are tired from the midweek game, Valero is suspended, and the game is on the road. Do not assume anything. Webo is back from the Cup of African Nations and will likely see some time up front to help get Mallorca the winning goal(s). I dont expect Xerez to score, but the question is can we find our goal and take the three points.
We could not ask for a better time then this week to get these guys but dont expect a blow out. It will be a tough fought match and Xerez is not going to pack it in at home in the first game of the second half. With Mallorcas momentum, I cant believe they will not take the full three points though and Chori Castro will continue to be a stud in the midfield so keep an eye on him to make the difference yet again.
Prediction:
Xerez 0-1 Mallorca
Prediction Record to date:
11-8
Category: Mallorca Team NewsEspanyol-Mallorca
By: Jeremy | Add Comments
Its been a busy week for Manzanos boys as they had a good run of results continue only to see its perfect home record destroyed in the first leg of the Copa Quarters to Getafe. While this recent result stings, lets look at the highlites of last weekends systematic dismantling of Deportivo which moved the team in to 4th and solidified its position as real European contenders.
How can you not be happy with a result like that? Even Manzano was gushing about the players. Whether its the stalwarts like Aduriz or Valero, or the under the radar guys like Suarez, Castro, or Ramis, the team has done what is needed to win a lot of games and earn a lot of points.
After such a brilliant win, many were expecting the momentum to continue at home to Getafe. Unfortunately it did not work out and Getafe took it to us.
Their first goal was good but the second one was a mistake by the back. What gives the team hope and says alot about its never say die attitude is that is scored a goal in the closing minutes making the return match worth watching. A 2-0 win on the road will see the team through to the next round and 2-1 game will atleast buy some extra time. Tough but possible.
Now there will be a tough road match against Espanyol with very little rest. Espanyol sits just above the relegation pack and other then Xerez, probably has the worst offensive team in La Liga. They have scored only 12 goals and does not have the ability to dominate anyone. The home field will no doubt help them where they are atleast a .500 team, but they can be beat in their stadium.
If not for the full schedule, Mallorca would feel confident about going on the road and taking the three points against a team not in their class, but this weekend will be tricky because the players are simply tired. I expected Deportivo to do better last weekend and Mallorca took them apart, so dont read too much into how many games the teams have played recently. Assuming Manzano has his full lineup ready to go, a win should be expected, but again I will look at things a bit conservatively.
With Sevilla, Deportivo and likely soon Atletico and Villarreal all ready to claim that last Champions League spot, Mallorca really needs games like these to keep in the race for that spot. The team is for real and still plays some of the most enjoyable football in La Liga, but for now I will be happy with a draw. No matter the result, this has to be one of the most remarkable and surprising first halfs of the season in team history. Any fan has to be happy at this point.
Prediction:
Espanyol 1-1 Mallorca
Prediction record to date:
10-8
Category: Mallorca Team NewsMallorca-Deportivo
By: Jeremy | 2 Comments
Am I the only one still catching my breath from the great Copa game against Rayo Vallecano? What a nice turnaround to send the team through to the final eight.
Check out the highlites..
Next Up is Getafe with the first leg to be played next week. These games so close together will test a teams depth and resolve and Manzano will need to work some real magic this weekend as the team will have its perfect home record tested by the likes of Deportivo La Coruna.
Depor sits one point ahead of Mallorca in the standings for the final Champions League spot. The fact Mallorca and Champions League are being mentioned in the same breath as week 18 starts is amazing and well documented. A win this weekend will continue to solidify Mallorcas place as one of the stronger teams in La Liga.
As with the game against Rayo, the team continues to get big goals from a wide variety of players. While Aduriz and Valero seem to create the confidence and chance for almost every offensive sequence, whether its Josemi or Suarez or Chori Castro, someone else often finishes the goal to earn the result. Because of so many games in such a short time, there will likely be some lineup shuffling but Manzano knows that any home game, especially against a direct rival, is very important and will likely lead to him putting out his best team this weekend hoping the home crowd can help deliver the three points. He will worry about Getafe later.
Deportivo has quietly returned to form as one of La Ligas top teams as they were for most of the last decade. They pulled off their own great feat eliminating Valencia from the Copa and will come in just as tired as Mallorca so look for a lot of feeling out and slower play in the game this weekend. Luis Filipe is one of their better players and should keep Mallorca busy.
After midweek battles for both teams, this game will seem like a let down, but both teams will understand the importance of the game and will make every extra effort they can before they resume their Copa battles next week.
Manzano can really earn some coaching praise if he can pull out a win this weekend, but it might be asking a bit much.
Prediction:
Mallorca 1-1 Deportivo
Prediction record to date:
10-7
Category: Mallorca Team NewsReal Madrid-Mallorca with a Copa Appetizer
By: Jeremy | 1 Comment
Time for another one of those matches. You know the games we play against the teams who spend so much money they could hire a bunch of idiots to buy players and they would still have a great team because they only have to get a few of their purchases to do well to be near the top of La Liga year in and year out. This years Real Madrid features Kaka and a new, younger Ronaldo. Great players obviously but it does not take a genius the likes of George Best to say buying these players was a good idea. They need to win the Champions League, plain and simple. The time gap since the last one is too long and their season will be measured accordingly.
Before I rant any further on the big team versus small team etc, lets look at the highlites from the mid week Copa match at Vallecano. Great result with a second unit and a red card.
We are ready to move on to the next round but first we must travel to take on a Madrid squad that is still a step behind Barca despite the big dollar spending.
Madrid is a great club and we all know their players. They will score and win in bunches but their problem is the occasional lethargic result that makes Barca fan happy and the criticism by their fans justified. Last weekends game was the latest dump on their history with a draw against Osasuna who gave us our only road win. While Kaka, Ronaldo and Van der Vaart are all healthy, they will be without Ramos and the Diarra boys so maybe we can expose them.
Mallorca is in 4th but will likely give some points back this weekend. With Madrid motivated after last weekend combined with us playing in the Copa and able to beat the lower division teams, Madrid at home with more rest will cause us problems despite the confidence oozing from Palma. Unless Aduriz and Valero run wild and turn this into a shootout, we wont stand much of a chance if you want to be objective.
This fixture is always exciting and Madrid still must fully concentrate to win this game. Manzano is still very even tempered and while top four is a bit unrealistic, we get this game at a perfect time with no pressure. Will this cause an upset? Probably not, but lets enjoy it with a relaxed attitude and let Madrid worry. If they play like they did against Osasuna, we will take points and their fans will boo them off the pitch.
Prediction:
Real Madrid 3-1 Mallorca
Prediction Record to date: 9-7
Category: Mallorca Team NewsLa Liga’s Top Four
By: Jeremy | 2 Comments
Club Pld Pts W D L F A
Barca 16 40 12 4 0 37 10
R. Madrid 16 38 12 2 2 40 12
Valencia 16 32 9 5 2 28 14
Mallorca 16 30 9 3 4 30 18
Yes you read that right. Thats our team sitting in the Champions League spots after sixteen games.
I dont think Sundays game was about how well Mallorca played, but how badly Athletic looked. While the home record indicated that Mallorca would likely win this game, I expected more from Athletic who has had a nice run of games lately.
Mallorcas first goal by Alvarez was luck but again the Valero to Aduriz combination proved big clinching the game in the 69th minute. These have been our best two players but the supporting cast has done really well.
We get a tough Real Madrid team this weekend and with no expectations, anything is possible.
Valeros presence makes a huge difference and if he is not La Liga’s first half MVP, I do not know who is. The overall speed of Mallorca has really been underestimated by their opponents and Manzano continues to create team chemistry and has the right talen out there.
Great win in a tough bounce back situation.
Category: Mallorca Team NewsMallorca-Athletic Bilbao
By: Jeremy | 10 Comments
This is a tough time of year. The weather is cold and momentum can be slowed by simply having a break for a couple of weeks. While the rest is often good for the players health, it can also be a time to reflect about where you are and what needs to be done to maintain or hopefully improve your position. While cold is a relative term in Palma, it is still a time for the team to figure some things out and we need to forget the Malaga blunder and refocus, fast.
In case you missed it, Mallorca gave away some points on the road to Malaga. It was a golden oportunity to improve the road record and confidence against a very mediocre if not bad Malaga team. Check out the highlites:
That one hurt. Aouate lost that game for us, plain and simple. You typically cant blame a bad result on one player, but I think we can in this case. Both Malaga goals would not have happened had he played even an average match in goal. Mallorcas goal resulted from a bad clearance so there was no great play by us either. The fact we can come back from a goal down on the road shows this team is still a legitimate threat for Europe. The result is one that we might be looking back on come the end of the season. Give Aouate a break as he has been huge for us all year but he needs to right himself and fast. He was due for a bad performance but you still hate to see such an opportunity wasted in that fashion. I would rather have seen Malaga play well.
A break after such a loss is tough. What ifs are really floating around the dressing room and Manzano will again have to show his leadership and managerial skills to get the team ready for Bilbao at home on Sunday.
Bilbao is much improved this year and has to feel they can fight for Europe again and they have brought some respect back to a club with a great history. They are in the final 32 of the Europa league and have emerged as one of the better teams in La Liga this year. While the obvious headliner is Aduriz, Mallorcas best player, getting to play again against his former team, the bigger picture is that this is the first of three matches to close out the first half of the season against top La Liga teams. Next week we get Madrid on the road and then finish with Depor at home. If Mallorca is for real, we need 6 points the next three weeks. Despite a perfect home record, its even money the team can pull this off. This is a tricky match against a direct rival for Europe.
As we used Osasuna to get our first road points, Athletic looks to be the team to end our perfect home record. They can do it and will be lead by forward Fernando Llorente, who has scored 4 goals in La Liga this year. He is supported by midfielder Javi Martinez who has contributed his share of goals as well. Despite these goal scorers, they are not a potent offensive team. However, they play very tight, and are prone to offensive explosions and defensive lapses. They can go on the road and beat teams and play lackluster football at home. What that means is that Mallorcas home advantage means little this weekend. We have to beat them on talent and hustle and their unpredictability will cause problems for us.
Valero might be back this weekend but this is still uncertain. We need him healthy and fast as the teams depth will be tested over the next few weeks. Manzano has a tricky task as after sundays game, the team hits the road against Rayo Vallecano in the last 16 of the Copa. While I dont think you sacrifice one match for the other, you have to play to win your home matches in any competition and with a winnable round in the Copa, you have to bring a team to take some points in that game as well. Someone who is used to being on the bench will have a chance to show something this week. We cannot continue to rely on Aduriz and Castro to lead us. Keita may prove large over this time frame.
While I dont think you can take a disappointing result against Malaga and say we just are not that good, it might be a time to temper expectations until we see the results of these next three games and what might happen in the transfer window. The rumors will heat up but we need a defender and maybe even an attacker to help keep us in the European fight. The ownership situation is not any better but Manzano is the boss and he will get what he wants because he knows what he has to work with financially and handles everyone so well.
I do think Athletic ends our perfect home record this weekend, but we are still a team with the ability to finish top six. Such a finish requires a lot of work over a whole season and there will be bumps in the road. The issue will be whether we can keep from having any bad streaks so we need to finish the first half strong. Its going to be difficult, but with solid goal keeping and some magic from Aduriz, I could be completely wrong about what happens this weekend. It should be an interesting match and I will be satisfied with a draw even if you really want a win at home.
Prediction
Mallorca 1-1 Bilbao.
Prediction record to date:
9-6
Category: Mallorca Team NewsMalaga-Mallorca
By: Jeremy | 6 Comments
Things are very sunny on the island of Mallorca, even as the weather is turning a little chilly for the sun drenched fans of the local team. Despite having not won a road game this season, Mallorca continued to carry forward its momentum and took a solid performance in Pamplona to record a 1-0 road win against Osasuna. A goal in minute 60 by Chori Castro sealed the deal. The Mallorca defense has really stepped up and has become one of the better teams at limiting the opponents goals and Osasunas chances were minimal. If you did not see the highlites here they are:
Chori Castros goal has to be one of the top ten in La Liga to date.
After getting that first road win, the schedule makers have sent Mallorca on an immediate road game away to Malaga. All I know about Malaga is that they were pretty decent last year with a similar finish to Mallorca but they are not good this year and like to play to draws. Their home field is not a fortress with a huge advantage as their record at home is barely above .500 so its an ideal matchup for Mallorca to have if it is going to go on the road in back to back weeks. Malaga has not won a game since week one when it whipped Atletico. They should be an easy mark if there are indeed any on the road in this league.
Mallorca continues to show what good coaching and overall depth can do for a club. While most outsiders think Mallorca should be bad because they continue to lose their best players, what they do not realize is that Manzano makes the moves to bring in some good players and create team and overall depth. While the star power is a little short for a european contender, Aduriz, Valero, and now the emerging Chori Castro bring enough individual skill to win some tough games. Even Marti, who I thought was washed up, has turned in some decent performances lately. Fans have to love what this team is doing in all phases of the game and we might even find some funds for a transfer over the break to help solidify a weak area.
While Valero will miss another week due to injury, with Aduriz and Castro ready to go, someone will step up to get this team yet another win. While any game on the road is tough, a loss to Malaga would be surprising.
Although the real test of our teams ability to fight for a European position will be determined in the Spring, continued momentum will keep that dream alive.
Prediction:
Malaga 1-3 Mallorca
Prediction record to date:
9-5
Category: Mallorca Team NewsOsasuna-Mallorca
By: Jeremy | Add Comments
If anyone doubts how well Mallorca has settled in at home against all but the top La Liga teams, watch the highlites of last weekends match against Zaragoza. In their 4-1 win all sorts of skills were shown from the goal scoring of Aduriz and Keita to the field generalship of Borja Valero. While this was against a bad Zaragoza team, it is still an indication that Mallorca will likely finish high up in the standings because of their ability to beat the teams that simply are not as good as they are. With seven out of seven at the Ono Estadi, Mallorca finds itself in 6th place, solidly in Europe and currently playing in a way that could cause them to slide into the Champions League. This is despite no wins on the road. I know its early, but this is the team of the year coached by the manager of the year to date in LaLiga. Hands down.
For all that has been achieved at home, Mallorca cannot seem to get any wins on the road. There have been some tough fought matches, but the results have not quite been there. While the road schedule has been much tougher then the home schedule, if the team is to finish in the top six, it needs some wins on the road against mediocre teams. Welcome to this weeks game against Osasuna.
Osasuna has surprisingly been able to get itself to a top ten position in LaLiga with the same up and down results geared towards its home matches. Pamplona is tough place to play, but this is still not a team I like and if it was not for the fact Valero was not going to play, I think this would be the prime opportunity for Mallorca to get its first road win of the season. Ex Mallorca man, Walter Pandiani, leads the team with seven goals. He is one of my favorite players and it is great to see him continue his career with quiet success. If he does not play as suspected, that will offset the absence of Valero. Other then Pandiani, this team simply is not that good and they are very inconsistent. Points can be gained in their stadium.
Mallorca comes in with full confidence after a home win and the chance to take points on the road when cynics expect a loss. If Aduriz plays, Mallorca can win any match. The defense lead by such surprising players as Ramis have held opponents in check hoping for that offensive breakthrough which only comes at home.
Despite all the articles that seem to be popping up lately talking about how poorly the team is managed ownership wise and the fact Mallorca continues to lose its good players year to year, this team is made up of some good players who play some of the most entertaining football in LaLiga. Manzano finds the players each year and getting Valero back so quietly in time to get the season started will go down as one of his better moves despite all he has done with other underperforming players over the years.
If you have interest, here is the latest analysis from the Guardian who despite some accurate statements, underestimates the talent that we have despite the ownership issues….
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/blog/2009/dec/07/mallorca-managerial-magic-sid-lowe
I think this is the teams prime chance to ends its road woes. If they can get that first road win, we can really start getting some looks and stay in the European chase. I think they do it this weekend.
Prediction:
Osasuna 1-2 Mallorca
Prediction record to date:
8-5
Category: Mallorca Team NewsMallorca-Zaragoza
By: Jeremy | Add Comments
Its back to Palma this weekend for what should be an easy win against hapless Zaragoza. Despite Zaragoza being winless on the road this year, with a perfect home record, Mallorca will still feel the pressure to keep their record in tact, especially against the teams you are expected to beat like Zaragoza. With the teams expectations seemingly raised after a great start to the season, wins like these are a must.
Mallorca comes back home after another confidence building match on the road against Valencia. With draws on the road this year against La Ligas regulars in Europe, Mallorca is making the rest of the league take notice that they will be in the mix for a european spot. The home wins have for the most part come against the leagues lower level teams but such consistency is hard to find and if they can keep it up, they will finish high in the standings. The consistency has created 21 points from 12 matches and a solid sixth place position.
Zaragoza has managed to do enough to secure 12 points from 12 matches which pace should put it right on the fence for safety despite being in 14th heading into the weekend. I think they are 50/50 to go back down to Segunda B. They are still a club with a strong La Liga history but absent some new signings, they will continue to be a yo yo club. Abel Aguilar leads the club with 4 goals, and while the team has scored 15 goals over 12 matches, they have been inconsistent and will give up goals at a much greater rate then most teams allowing almost two a game.
If Aduriz and Valero can work their magic at home, Mallorca should do enough to win this game. There are no injuries and problems that would prevent Mallorca from winning this weekend. While upsets certainly happen, anything other then a Mallorca victory would be a surprise. We need to keep it going and Manzano will have the boys ready.
Prediction:
Mallorca 2-0 Real Zaragoza
Prediction record to date: 7-5
Category: Mallorca Team News
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