Mallorca players huddle before the match against Villarreal at Son Moix. / RCDM
Sergi Fullana
Real Mallorca faces three high-pressure matchdays in their fight for survival, though if results go their way, they could secure safety with just two games to spare. To achieve that, the vermilion-clad side must earn a positive result tonight at El Coliseum against Getafe (9:30 PM CET / DAZN). The urgency to pick up points intensified after Levante’s 3-2 victory over Celta yesterday, which completely reshaped the relegation battle.
Martín Demichelis’ squad, currently level with the relegation zone, still controls their own destiny to remain in La Liga next season. At the same time, Alavés will host Barcelona at Mendizorroza, a match many Mallorca fans will monitor while their team fights for survival. Earlier in the evening, two other crucial lower-table clashes take place: Villarreal vs. Sevilla and Espanyol vs. Athletic Club.
The encounter against Getafe is complicated by the physical toll from Sunday’s match against Villarreal. Pablo Torre, Johan Mojica, and Mateu Morey all had to be substituted due to cramps and muscle issues, while several other players also showed clear signs of fatigue. Nonetheless, all but Samu Costa—suspended due to yellow card accumulation—have been named in the squad, with Pablo Maffeo returning after missing the match against the “groguets.”
The Portuguese midfielder’s absence and Sunday’s decisive trip to Levante open the door to potential rotation in the starting lineup. However, Demichelis made it clear he wants the team to “leave nothing for Sunday,” so it’s possible several players will push themselves to the limit again tonight. The Argentine coach will wait until the last moment to decide on the lineup.
Getafe, meanwhile, is stuck in a poor run of form but remains in contention for seventh place, the final European spot. The azulones have almost their entire squad available, barring three players: Abdel Abqar (suspension) and Juanmi Jiménez and Kiko Femenía (injuries). Bordalás is expected to field a largely unchanged XI from last weekend’s draw against Oviedo, with a few tweaks: Luis Vázquez could start after being on the bench at Carlos Tartiere, and Djené is likely to fill Abqar’s spot in central defense, shifting from midfield.
Mallorca will aim for their third away victory of the season at the most critical moment, against a side that is notoriously unreliable at home. Getafe have the third-worst home record in La Liga, with just 21 points. Being “nasty and aggressive,” as Demichelis preached after the win at Girona, will be key to matching the intensity the Madrilenians will bring.
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El Coliseum was the venue where Mallorca reached their peak last season, winning 1-0 with a goal from Cyle Larin, capping a dream first half of the campaign under Arrasate. Since that match, however, everything began to unravel. Now the Balearic side returns to the same stage with a chance to make a statement and take a giant step toward survival.
