Real Mallorca are really putting their fans through the mill right now. Despite dominating the match last weekend against lowly Castellón they managed to lose 1-0. The saving grace was that Almeria drew with Espanyol 1-1. With seven games to go Espanyol are top with 74 points, having won last night, Mallorca second with 68 points and Almeria third with 61 points. It looks like Espanyol with Mallorca’s former boss Vincente Moreno in charge have secured their return to the top flight. They have been the most consistent team lately having not lost since the end of January, a run of 13 games. All the other teams including Mallorca cannot put together a winning run which is why Mallorca are still 7 points clear in second. A win on Monday night against relegation threatened Sabadell would ease those promotion nerves. The coach Luis Garcia Plaza said this week that they have seven finals to go and he sees the team plugged in and ready for the fight. Alluding to the criticism of the team he said the players are putting everything on the line and nobody should doubt their determination to get promoted. He also mentioned the big difference in spending budgets between Mallorca, Espanyol and Almeria. Mallorca’s squad budget is just over 19 million euros, compared to Almeria with 27.5 million euros and Espanyol with 45 million euros.
La Liga economic control is implemented by a group of analysts who review the finances of every club before establishing a squad cost limit. With this number, clubs go into the new transfer window knowing the total amount they can spend on first team players and top coaching staff. Funds can be divided between transfer fees or wages according to the club’s preferences, as LaLiga does not impose a wage cap.
UD Ibiza have secured their play-off place and are group winners with a 0-1 victory against Nastic of Tarragona last weekend. Coach Juan Carlos Carcedo said “we did a great job of responding to their strengths especially from a defensive point of view. He has done a great job since taking over and now needs to get them over that play-off hoodoo.
They play Andorra at home today and season ticket holders are allowed in to watch the game.
Atlético Baleares beat AD Merida last week to continue their good run of form. Their new coach Xavi Calm has lived up to his name and steadied the ship and now they’re sailing in the right direction. Today they play away at CD Don Benito of Extremadura. Congratulations to their Juvenil team who have secured promotion to the highest level of youth football Division Honor.
A thumping 4-0 victory for UD Poblense last week meaning at the moment they are holding onto their position in the league. A difficult game away at UD Yugo just south of Madrid today.
No game for Penya Deportiva last week but they are still top of their group. Today they play Olot at home.
Some surprising results in Tercera last weekend. Platges de Calvia losing to Constancia 2-1 was probably the biggest. Ibiza Pitiusas could only draw 1-1 with Formentera and Andratx ran out 2-1 winners over PE Sant Jordi. This weekend Pitiusas thumped Sant Jordi 0-5 yesterday and Formentera drew with Constancia 1-1. The biggest game of the weekend though is today with Platges de Calvia hosting Andratx. Currently Andratx and Ibiza Pitiusas hold the promotion places.
In Division Honor it’s about who finishes in the top four to maintain their place in the league next season. Currently Mallorca and San Francisco are first and second respectively and Penya Arrabal lie in sixth place.
Finally congratulations to Xisco Muñoz the Manager of Watford who has got them promoted back to the Premier League. Born in Manacor here on the island he started his playing career at Real Mallorca before moving on to have a successful career with a variety of clubs. Good to see great managers as well as players being produced here on the islands.
Take care everyone.
Richie presents the Radio One Mallorca Breakfast show Monday to Friday 07.30-11.00am on 93.8fm in Mallorca and 102fm in Calvià, online at www.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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