Mallorca - Real Sociedad
Mallorca +0 @2.16
❌
Mallorca has been living in permanent tension for months, and for me the key point ahead of this match is the change on the bench. The problems were never about lack of quality or squad depth. From the start of the season, and even during the previous campaign, there were clear internal conflicts with the former coach. Open disagreements with players, dressing room friction, and even leaks about footballers unhappy with being benched only to end up starting days later. That kind of environment inevitably affects concentration, defensive focus and decision-making on the pitch.
Now everything changes with the arrival of Martín Demichelis. In my opinion, this is a fresh start that Mallorca desperately needed. Demichelis is not a reactive coach; his preferred 4-2-3-1 brings structure and clarity. The double pivot works with complementary roles, one more positional and corrective, the other capable of progressing with the ball and arriving into the box. The attacking midfielder looks to generate advantages between the lines, while the wingers can hold width or attack diagonally. What I like most from his ideas is the coordinated pressing after losing possession and the intention to defend in a medium-high block with proactive centre-backs. That alone should correct many of the defensive issues that were more tactical than individual.
This Mallorca squad is far better than their current position suggests. It is impossible for me to imagine a team with Vedat Muriqi fighting relegation until the very end. After Mbappé, who is on another level, Muriqi has been the most decisive striker in the league, scoring 16 goals and showing extraordinary consistency. You simply do not go down easily with a striker in that form. With better interior supply and more structured possession, he should receive more quality balls in the box. Sergi Darder and Manu Morlanes can benefit from a more organised framework, while Samu Costa gives the physical balance needed in transitions.
At home, this is a massive opportunity. The atmosphere should push them, and with the dressing room refreshed, I expect intensity and commitment from the first minute. The team has experience in relegation battles and knows how to manage these scenarios.
On the other side, Real Sociedad arrive with doubts. The initial boost under the new coach has clearly faded. In the last two matches they conceded seven goals, looking fragile and open, especially against Oviedo, who had one of the weakest attacks in the league and still managed to score three. Defensively they remain too generous, and when their attacking fluency drops, they suffer a lot.
There is also the context of the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg against Athletic. They carry a 0-1 advantage and that match is clearly the priority. In La Liga they are safe from relegation and Europe seems unrealistic, so naturally the focus shifts to the cup. Rotation is expected, with players like Zubeldia likely to rest, Brais Méndez suspended, and doubts around Kubo and Barrenetxea due to injury or limited fitness. That reduces their offensive threat and overall competitiveness.
For me, this is the perfect storm for Mallorca. A new coach, renewed energy, superior motivation, home advantage and facing an opponent with one eye on a decisive cup tie. If they improve defensively as expected under Demichelis and maintain their attacking efficiency through Muriqi, they have all the tools to take something very valuable from this game.
