It is with smiles on their faces that Mallorca supporters celebrate a memorable first part of the season. Last Saturday, December 21, the Balearic club strengthened its position by achieving a valuable success on the Getafe pitch (0-1). Hanging in the first period, Jagoba Arrasate’s players finally found salvation from the penalty spot, thanks to Canadian Cyle Larin, scorer of his fifth goal of the season in La Liga (53rd, 0-1). This new victory adds to an impressive record: 30 points obtained in La Liga thanks to nine victories, including five away. Real Mallorca, firmly anchored in European positions, exceeds all expectations expressed last summer.
It is true that no one had expected the Bermellones so high. During the 2023-2024 financial year the club was positioned in the soft underbelly, in a very average 15th place. This spectacular transformation demonstrates an ambitious and well-structured sporting project, capable of competing with other important clubs in the Championship.
Clear game ideas
The architect of this successful start to the season, Jagoba Arrasate is already praised by the Iberian press. The Basque coach, who replaced Javier Aguirre, was able to bring his vision of the game and his ideas to his group. The Balearic daily newspaper, Mallorca Diarynotes that the coach also knew “ convince the team that they had the ability to go to the end of matches and never take a draw for granted. The ball has ceased to be useless to become the protagonist and it is also thanks to the fact that important players have regained their best level “.
Mallorca thus only won its victories by the smallest of margins (1 goal difference maximum). This self-sacrifice has created its own identity. “ With a clear desire to take advantage of the ball without neglecting defense, the Arrasate team has been characterized by its desire to dominate matches – without feeling uncomfortable when it does not succeed – and to stand up to any team», Comments the regional newspaper. Play on the wings has also been one of the great tactical innovations of this year, particularly through the full-backs. Ease, also possible thanks to the good form of the Canadian center forward of the team, Cyle Larin, already author of 5 goals and 2 assists this season. Arriving in the summer of 2023 for eight million euros, the second highest transfer in the club’s history, the player almost doubled his statistics in significantly fewer matches.
A European future?
Only three times have Mallorca scored this many points at this stage of the season. And each time, these records allowed them to obtain a passport for European competitions: two for the Champions League and one for the Europa League. Mundo Deportivo remembers that “ Mallorca’s best score in 19 days dates back to 2009-10, with 34 points, fourth place, which became fifth at the end of the season, and a ticket to the Europa League “. A context that undoubtedly leaves players dreaming.
“ Mallorca is in the European places, six points from the Champions League. An idyllic location that will allow the Balearics to experience one of the most peaceful Christmases in recent times », comments Mundo Deportivo. The Christmas break, which will last until December 30, will be a valuable opportunity to fully savor the exploits achieved so far and to recharge the batteries before an intense recovery. The month of January promises to be particularly demanding, with the Copa del Rey on the program, where the Bermellones hope to continue their adventure, and above all the dream of winning a title in the Spanish Super Cup.
