Week 5: RCD host Villarreal in Mallorca on Sunday, the early match. Expected lineup (4-2-3-1): Prats Lee, Kubo, Mboula Sevilla, Baba Olivan, Raillo, Valjent, Maffeo Reina Fer Nino has to sit out due to his loan deal from Villarreal. De Galarreta may be injured, otherwise he starts instead of Sevilla. Hopefully, Villarreal are fatigued from their midweek match thus giving Mallorca the chance of a point or three.
Mallorca pick up a point with their 0-0 home draw with Villarreal. Week 5: 2-2-1 8 points Goals - Assists Dani Rodriguez 1 - 1 Fer Nino 1 - 0 Olivan 1 - 0 Sevilla 0 - 1 Goals scored: 3 Goals conceded: 3 Clean sheets: 3
Week 6: Real Madrid - RCD Mallorca Expected lineup: Fer Nino Rodriguez, Kubo, Mboula Baba, Sevilla Olivan, Raillo, Valjent, Maffeo Reina Real Madrid at home? Naw, I don't see any points in this for Mallorca.
Actual starting lineup: Hoppe Junior, Kang-In, Kubo Febas, Battaglia Olivan, Gaya, Valjent, Sastre Reina Kang-In scored at 25' with the assist from Hoppe, but the defense shipped goals, and the offense fired too many straight at the Real Madrid goalkeeper. The result was never in doubt.
Week 6: 2-2-2 8 points Goals - Assists Dani Rodriguez 1 - 1 Lee Kang-in 1 - 0 Fer Nino 1 - 0 Olivan 1 - 0 Hoppe 0 - 1 Sevilla 0 - 1 Goals scored: 4 Goals conceded: 9 Clean sheets: 3
Week 7: RCD host Osasuna in Mallorca on Sunday. With a growing injury list, some down list players are getting the chance to make an impact. Expected lineup: Fer Nino Junior, Kang-In, Sanchez Febas, Sevilla Olivan, Valjent, Gaya, Sastre Reina
Starting lineup: Fer Nino Ndiaye, Kang-In, Dani Rodriguez Baba, Sevilla Costa, Olivan, Valjent, Sastre Greif 2-1 at the half. Dani headed in Sevilla corner, and Ndiaye shot/pass into Fer Nino put away at the last action of first half.
Week 7: 2-2-3 8 points Mallorca gave up two second half goals to go down in defeat to Osasuna and drop 3 home points. Sinking in the table now after 3 straight losses. Goals - Assists Dani Rodriguez 2 - 1 Fer Nino 2 - 0 Sevilla 0 - 2 Lee Kang-in 1 - 0 Olivan 1 - 0 Hoppe 0 - 1 Ndiaye 0 - 1 Goals scored: 6 Goals conceded: 12 Clean sheets: 3
Week 8: RCD host Levante in tomorrow's early match in Mallorca. Having lost 3 matches in a row, Mallorca need this win to keep from falling into the relegation zone. They led Osasuna 2-1 at the half, but gave up 2 second half goals to lose all points. Raillo, Kubo, and Sedlar are still injured, and Maffeo might not be match fit. Expected lineup: Manolo Reina; Brian Olivan, Jaume Costa, Martin Valjent, Joan Sastre; Iddrisu Baba, Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta; Amath Ndiaye, Jordi Mboula, Lee Kang-In; Fernando Nino
Week 8: 3-2-3 11 points Mallorca beat Levante 1-0 at home from a Baba header, assisted by Maffeo who was very active and created several chances with his runs. Reina saved a PK at the other end to preserve all 3 points. Amath Ndiaye started again and also brought some good energy on the left side. RCD can win matches if they keep clean sheets, because their offense doesn't generate much, only 7 goals from 8 matches. Goals - Assists Dani Rodriguez 2 - 1 Fer Nino 2 - 0 Sevilla 0 - 2 Lee Kang-in 1 - 0 Baba 1 - 0 Olivan 1 - 0 Hoppe 0 - 1 Ndiaye 0 - 1 Maffeo 0 - 1 Goals scored: 7 Goals conceded: 12 Clean sheets: 4
Week 9 : RCD Mallorca travel to San Sebastian to face Real Sociedad. Expected lineup: Manolo Reina; Jaume Costa, Franco Russo, Martin Valjent, Pablo Maffeo; Iddrisu Baba, Inigo Ruiz de Galarreta; Amath Ndiaye, Lee Kang-In, Dani Rodriguez; Fernando Nino Mallorca don't have a very potent offense (7 goals in 8 matches) so they have to win matches by keeping a clean sheet. If Oyarzabal is fit and starts for Real, I don't see any points in this for Mallorca.
Week 9: 3-2-4 11 points Lost 1-0 to Real Sociedad in San Sebastian on a 90th minute goal. Sigh. Almost had a point. Sliding down the table. Goals - Assists Dani Rodriguez 2 - 1 Fer Nino 2 - 0 Sevilla 0 - 2 Lee Kang-in 1 - 0 Baba 1 - 0 Olivan 1 - 0 Hoppe 0 - 1 Ndiaye 0 - 1 Maffeo 0 - 1 Goals scored: 7 Goals conceded: 13 Clean sheets: 4
Week 10: 3-3-4 12 points Drew 2-2 away to Valencia. Mallorca were the better side in the first half and went ahead 0-2. Lee Kang-In set up Angel for the first goal, and then the second was a cross into the middle that was put in off a Valencia defender (own goal). In second half stoppage time, Mallorca gave up two goals to drop 2 points. Still, an away point keeps them mid-table for the present time. Unfortunately, Kang-In was sent off in the second half for second yellow and Sanchez got a straight red at the very end so both miss next week's match. Goals - Assists Dani Rodriguez 2 - 1 Fer Nino 2 - 0 Lee Kang-in 1 - 1 Sevilla 0 - 2 Angel 1 - 0 Baba 1 - 0 Olivan 1 - 0 Hoppe 0 - 1 Ndiaye 0 - 1 Maffeo 0 - 1 Opponent own goal: 1 Goals scored: 9 Goals conceded: 15 Clean sheets: 4
Week 11: 3-4-4 13 points Home draw 1-1 with Sevilla. Amath Ndiaye sent in a cross that was put in by Antonio Sanchez for the 1-0 go ahead goal. Sevilla put on much pressure in the match and got an equalizer in the 73rd minute. In stoppage time, a Sevilla goal was ruled out by VAR due to a very slight touch of the ball on the arm of the Sevilla assist man, thus sparing one point for Mallorca. Goals - Assists Dani Rodriguez 2 - 1 Fer Nino 2 - 0 Lee Kang-in 1 - 1 Sevilla 0 - 2 Ndiaye 0 - 2 Angel 1 - 0 Sanchez 1 - 0 Baba 1 - 0 Olivan 1 - 0 Hoppe 0 - 1 Maffeo 0 - 1 Opponent own goal: 1 Goals scored: 10 Goals conceded: 16 Clean sheets: 4
Week 12: 3-5-4 14 points Another 1-1 draw, away to Cadiz where they gave up a late-match PK. Sedlar sent off for two yellow cards after replacing Valjent in second half. Sevilla corner stabbed into net by Baba. Goals - Assists Dani Rodriguez 2 - 1 Sevilla 0 - 3 Fer Nino 2 - 0 Baba 2 - 0 Lee Kang-in 1 - 1 Ndiaye 0 - 2 Angel 1 - 0 Sanchez 1 - 0 Olivan 1 - 0 Hoppe 0 - 1 Maffeo 0 - 1 Opponent own goal: 1 Goals scored: 11 Goals conceded: 17 Clean sheets: 4
Week 13: 3-6-4 15 points Home 2-2 draw against Elche, when they came from behind twice 0-1 and 1-2 to snatch a draw and a point in stoppage time. Sevilla scored a PK for the first goal, and Maffeo headed in a Dani Rodriguez corner for the second. Goals - Assists Dani Rodriguez 2 - 2 Sevilla 1 - 3 Fer Nino 2 - 0 Baba 2 - 0 Lee Kang-in 1 - 1 Maffeo 1 - 1 Ndiaye 0 - 2 Angel 1 - 0 Sanchez 1 - 0 Olivan 1 - 0 Hoppe 0 - 1 Opponent own goal: 1 Goals scored: 13 Goals conceded: 19 Clean sheets: 4
Week 14: 3-6-5 15 points Went to Madrid and got caught on the break too many times to go down 3-1. Only goal was an Abdon Prats shot that was set up by Angel Rodriguez. Only 4 points above the relegation zone now. Goals - Assists Dani Rodriguez 2 - 2 Sevilla 1 - 3 Fer Nino 2 - 0 Baba 2 - 0 Lee Kang-in 1 - 1 Maffeo 1 - 1 Angel 1 - 1 Ndiaye 0 - 2 Prats 1 - 0 Sanchez 1 - 0 Olivan 1 - 0 Hoppe 0 - 1 Opponent own goal: 1 Goals scored: 14 Goals conceded: 22 Clean sheets: 4
Week 15: 3-7-5 16 points Mallorca continue their poor offensive performance with a dull 0-0 home draw with Getafe. Clean sheet for Reina and not much else. Goals - Assists Dani Rodriguez 2 - 2 Sevilla 1 - 3 Fer Nino 2 - 0 Baba 2 - 0 Lee Kang-in 1 - 1 Maffeo 1 - 1 Angel 1 - 1 Ndiaye 0 - 2 Prats 1 - 0 Sanchez 1 - 0 Olivan 1 - 0 Hoppe 0 - 1 Opponent own goal: 1 Goals scored: 14 Goals conceded: 22 Clean sheets: 5
First Round Copa del Rey action Gimnastica Segoviana 0-2 RCD Mallorca, extra time Angel Rodriguez scored a brace in extra time, off assists from de Galarreta and Olivan. Mallorca advance to Round 2.
Week 16: 4-7-5 19 points Mallorca went back to Madrid and pulled out a 1-2 win over Atletico. They had 3 or 4 great chances in the first half, and then gave up the opener at 68' in a scramble in front of Reina. On 80', Kang-in free kick was headed in by Russo, and then at 90', Angel Rodriguez sent Take Kubo free on a breakaway to slot between the goalkeeper's legs for the match winner. Goals - Assists Dani Rodriguez 2 - 2 Sevilla 1 - 3 Lee Kang-in 1 - 2 Fer Nino 2 - 0 Baba 2 - 0 Angel 1 - 2 Maffeo 1 - 1 Ndiaye 0 - 2 Kubo 1 - 0 Prats 1 - 0 Russo 1 - 0 Sanchez 1 - 0 Olivan 1 - 0 Hoppe 0 - 1 Opponent own goal: 1 Goals scored: 16 Goals conceded: 23 Clean sheets: 5
Week 17: 4-8-5 20 points Home draw 0-0 with Celta Vigo. Strong wind blowing down the pitch made it difficult for both squads to adjust. With the wind at your back, your passes go far downfield and out-of-bounds at the other end. With the wind in your face, your headed ball downfield gets blown back over your head in the direction of your own goal. Reina with at least 5 point-saving saves kept a clean sheet. Goals - Assists Dani Rodriguez 2 - 2 Sevilla 1 - 3 Lee Kang-in 1 - 2 Fer Nino 2 - 0 Baba 2 - 0 Angel 1 - 2 Maffeo 1 - 1 Ndiaye 0 - 2 Kubo 1 - 0 Prats 1 - 0 Russo 1 - 0 Sanchez 1 - 0 Olivan 1 - 0 Hoppe 0 - 1 Opponent own goal: 1 Goals scored: 16 Goals conceded: 23 Clean sheets: 6
Second Round Copa del Rey action CD Llanera 0-6 RCD Mallorca After a scoreless first half, Mallorca turned on the after burners and scored six to win easily against 4th division side Llanera. A pair of Take Kubo corners were headed in by Aleksandar Sedlar. A Lee Kang-In corner was headed in by Josep Gaya. Jordi Mboula scored a goal (Jaume Costa assist), and then set up Angel Rodriguez for the final goal. Angel took a rebounded shot of his and fed Javier Llabres for his goal. Leo Roman had the clean sheet in goal. Copa del Rey scoring (after 2 rounds) Goals-Assists Angel Rodriguez 3 - 1 Sedlar 2 - 0 Take Kubo 0 - 2 Mboula 1 - 1 Gaya 1 - 0 Llabres 1 - 0 Kang-In 0 - 1 Costa 0 - 1 de Galaretta 0 - 1 Olivan 0 - 1 Goals scored: 8 Goals conceded: 0 Clean sheets: 2
Week 18: 4-8-6 20 points Went to struggling Granada and gave them hope by receiving a 4-1 thrashing from the home side. Granada moves up to within one point of the falling Mallorcans. Only goal was beautiful cross from Costa in off the head of Dani Rodriguez. Defense was cr@p, of course. Goals - Assists Dani Rodriguez 3 - 2 Sevilla 1 - 3 Lee Kang-in 1 - 2 Fer Nino 2 - 0 Baba 2 - 0 Angel 1 - 2 Maffeo 1 - 1 Ndiaye 0 - 2 Kubo 1 - 0 Prats 1 - 0 Russo 1 - 0 Sanchez 1 - 0 Olivan 1 - 0 Cosat 0 - 1 Hoppe 0 - 1 Opponent own goal: 1 Goals scored: 17 Goals conceded: 27 Clean sheets: 6
Week 19: 4-8-7 20 points Hosted a struggling and youth-dominated Barcelona side, and gave them hope by conceding a single goal when Reina fell backward to the ground allowing Luuk de Jong an easy header into the open net. Offense was ineffective, of course. I have this sinking feeling ... Goals - Assists Dani Rodriguez 3 - 2 Sevilla 1 - 3 Lee Kang-in 1 - 2 Fer Nino 2 - 0 Baba 2 - 0 Angel 1 - 2 Maffeo 1 - 1 Ndiaye 0 - 2 Kubo 1 - 0 Prats 1 - 0 Russo 1 - 0 Sanchez 1 - 0 Olivan 1 - 0 Cosat 0 - 1 Hoppe 0 - 1 Opponent own goal: 1 Goals scored: 17 Goals conceded: 28 Clean sheets: 6
Third Round of Copa del Ray (Round of 32) Hosted by Eibar, Mallorca pulled off a comeback win 1-2. A youth player, Javier Llabres, was excellent on the left wing, and assisted on both goals, by Gaya and Angel Rodriguez. Neither Kubo nor Kang In-Lee played, but I liked what I saw in Llabres. Hopefully, he gets more first squad action. Copa del Rey scoring (after 3 rounds) Goals-Assists Angel Rodriguez 4 - 1 Llabres 1 - 2 Sedlar 2 - 0 Gaya 2 - 0 Take Kubo 0 - 2 Mboula 1 - 1 Kang-In 0 - 1 Costa 0 - 1 de Galaretta 0 - 1 Olivan 0 - 1 Goals scored: 10 Goals conceded: 1 Clean sheets: 2