To be honest only the most diehard fan like me would have predicted a Mallorca win over Barcelona at the weekend. A home win against Real Madrid earlier in the season gave us some hope but unfortunately that hope was to last just 65 seconds. Give a team like Barca that early advantage and you’re dead and so it proved. I was slightly unsure of the starting eleven. Sastre at left-back was given the run around in the first half. Understandably out of position but didn’t look comfortable and was substituted at half time for Fran Gamez who looked a little more capable. Pedraza instead of Baba didn’t work either in midfield. I know Baba was coming back from injury but fit enough for the bench fit enough for the game for me. He ran the midfield against Real Madrid and might just have closed down the pass that led to the first goal. Upfront we were toothless with neither Budimir or Cucho posing a threat. Kubo was our most dangerous attacker and had two good chances in the first half. Let’s face it we’re not in their league, all you have to do is compare the two playing budgets. Barcelona’s is 671 million euros and Mallorca’s is 30 million euros(the lowest in the league).I’m sure questions were asked about how in a stadium that is closed a fan managed to get on the pitch? Apparently it was a dare from his mates and he managed a selfie with Barcelona player Jordi Alba before finally being caught by security. His aim was a selfie with his idol Lionel Messi as he was wearing a Messi Argentina shirt but he’ll have to make do with a 3,000€ fine and a football stadium ban.
I liked the way the tv had superimposed a crowd and added in crowd noises it made the experience more lifelike and better than the Bundesliga.
Be interesting to see what the Premier League does differently to the Germans and the Spanish.
Sky Sports have announced that they have created a range of optional crowd noises and chants for viewers ahead of the Premier League’s return tonight.
With matches set to take place behind closed doors for the foreseeable future, there have been plenty of discussions over how to improve the spectacle for supporters. They will introduce a crowds feature in partnership with FIFA 20, which will give viewers the choice between added supporter or stadium noise along with commentary. In addition, a ‘Choose a Chant’ feature will allow fans the opportunity to vote on what song should be played, with the ability to opt between club anthems or player-specific chants.
Fans on big screens and specific cameras to celebrate towards are some of the other “broadcast enhancements” that will be used too. Sky have always been ahead of the game when looking at enhancing the game for the armchair fan so I’m looking forward to see what they do.
Last night Mallorca played away in Villareal, less than 72 hours after their Barcelona gubbing. Vicente Moreno shuffled his squad by making 5 changes from the starting line-up on Saturday. Sedlar came in at left back with Fran Gamez moving to right back. The midfield was completely different, Dani Rodriguez was banned after a yellow card so in came Lago, Febas, Baba and Pozo. Kubo moved up front with Cucho and Budimir dropped to the bench.
Also on the bench was Luka Romero the 15 year old dubbed the Mexican Messi and one of the most exciting young talents in Spain. He can’t sign a professional contract until he’s 16 in November so Mallorca are currently paying him a monthly salary and have rented an apartment on the island for him and his family.
Mallorca were unlucky not to go ahead after a dipping shot from Baba from outside the box hit the bar. Not long after though they went behind when they again failed to cut out a cross that was scrambled home by Bacca. Mallorca dominated the second half making 5 changes at varying times including taking off Kubo which I didn’t understand as he’s been our best player in both games. Another dipping shot from Baba came back off the bar and Cucho missed a far post volley into an empty net which summed up their night. A draw probably would have been a fair result but a 1-0 loss puts pressure on the Manager and his team. Attention turns now to Friday at 19.30 and a home game against relegation rivals Leganés. Now if ever you wanted to describe a game as a six pointer then this is it.
Jacob my eldest was invited back to his club last week to find out the schedule for their return to action. They’ve been given a training plan from now until week beginning July 27th when they are expected to return to pre-season training. All down to how the virus behaves over the coming weeks of course but it gives him something to look forward to. In fact I’ve agreed to join both of the boys on their pre pre-season so if you see me running up the hills of Santa Ponsa then please stop to check I’m ok!
Take care everyone, I’m back at the Weekend.
Richie presents the Radio One Mallorca Breakfast show Monday to Friday07.30-11.00am on 93.8fm in Mallorca and 102fm in Calvià, online atwww.radioonemallorca.com on mobile through their free App for IPhone & Android, The Tunein Radio App, iTunes, the Spanish TDT TV service and all smart speakers. If you can’t hear him on the radio then you’ll find him working at Pirates Adventure the islands number one night out and every now and again he may make an understudy appearance!
Follow him on Twitter @DadTaxi1 & Instagram @dad.taxi or feel free to email him at rprior@globobalear.com
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