In all honesty this game against the best club side in world football has come way too early in the season for Real Mallorca, they are nowhere near the finished article. Coach Arrasate is still working out his initial starting XI in the new 4-3-3 system and his squad is at least two players light, especially on the right flank and central defence. With the transfer window closing on August 31 , there are still some Mallorca players uncertain of their future.
Samu Costa is reportedly interesting sides from Saudi Arabia and the Premier League. Right back Pablo Maffeo has one foot out of Real Mallorca after an injury hit last season. On Saturday night against Bologna he played in the second half like he was waiting for his phone to ring with his agent telling him he was on his way out elsewhere.
After his “I’m leaving here” shenanigans on social media during the Summer, our Ultras were chanting “Maffeo vete ya” (go now). He has gone from hero to zero in only a few months. Two players who have taken the eye in pre-season are Japanese “speedster” Takuma Asano, who primarily plays down the left wing and chipped in a beauty from an exquisite Sergi Darder defence-splitting pass, and the other player is teenage scoring sensation Marc Domenech who will certainly have some minutes in the “big team.
” Up front Verdat Muriqi again doesn’t look like the predator he was two years ago and his missed penalty against Bologna was almost laughable. His striking partner Cyle La.