The Cantabrian aspect lie sixteenth in La Liga, 5 factors behind us and of their rank is 35-year-old predatory striker Iago Aspas. Born in Vigo, he’s scored 184 targets in 13 seasons and is commonly the very best Spanish-born participant within the objective scoring statistics. He must be watched very carefully tonight. Lacking for Mallorca is south Korean Kang In Lee who’s suspended.

Simply earlier than the Qatar World Cup kicked off, I commented that the six week mid-season break couldn’t have come at a worst time for the Palma aspect. We had been enjoying good soccer, beating groups like Valencia and Villareal away from house, additionally profitable 1-0 at house to Atletico Madrid.

Because the league restarted there’s little doubt our kind has dipped with a number of key gamers not on the similar enjoying degree they had been again in November. The type of Pedro Maffeo and Vedat Muriqi, two gamers Mallorca rely closely on, is without doubt one of the causes we haven’t been hitting the online with regularity.

However due to our stable defence (solely 16 targets conceded) we lie mid-table on 22 factors after 17 video games. Up entrance targets are scarce – 14 scored, solely exceeded by backside membership Elche (13), Cadiz (11) and Valladolid (additionally 13). Eight of our 14 have come from Muriqi who hasn’t scored in a league sport because the World Cup. Because the group concedes little in defence however on the similar time generates much less in assault, it means if we go a objective down early doorways it’s at all times an uphill wrestle to get again on degree phrases.

There’s after all no trigger for alarm bells to start out ringing however gamers like Kang In Lee, Abdon, Angel and Kadewere must step up so we don’t must rely an excessive amount of on Muriqi’s contribution. Mallorca haven’t performed a sport at house the place we’ve scored a couple of objective however curiously in our away victories (Rayo, Valencia and Villareal) we scored two targets in every.

Maffeo has been injured for a month and a half after breaking three vertebrae in our 1-1 draw towards Espanyol on October 28. He’s a specialist in getting down the wing and behind opposing defences however since he made a comeback two weeks in the past he hasn’t precipitated the identical hazard as he did earlier than his damage.

Muriqi attracts extra consideration as a result of he’s absolutely the star of the group. He’s scored eight of our 14 targets however his type of late hasn’t reached the heights of pre-World Cup. Nonetheless, his capacity to place in a shift on the pitch is, as at all times, unquestionable. He combines nicely together with his group mates and fights for each ball, however one thing for the time being isn’t proper.

Muriqi’s issues aren’t helped by the truth that he’s not receiving that killer cross he a lot enjoys. Towards Osasuna he seemed anxious and annoyed and that’s not very best when the group’s principal protagonist is out of kinds.

It’s vitally vital that “El Pirata” regains his goalscoring prowess, beginning tonight towards Celta. He had one among Spanish soccer’s prime accolades final week when he had a two-page-centre-spread interview in Spain’s prime sports activities paper Marca. In it he underlined his happiness at Actual Mallorca amid numerous switch rumours. After a tough time in Italy with Lazio, the 28-year-old Kosovan has discovered a brand new lease of life on the island. He stated “I’ve by no means considered leaving Mallorca”.

Nonetheless, it’s one thing that doesn’t depend upon me as a result of a group may come alongside and agree a deal and the membership may inform me they’re promoting me and I can’t say something. I’ve a five-year contract and I by no means need to go away Mallorca. I’m completely satisfied right here, my household are completely satisfied dwelling in Portals Nous and the children are doing nicely in school.

“We had been the final group that needed a break for the World Cup. We scored ten factors in 4 very troublesome video games and we had numerous confidence and want. After the break we now have needed to regain confidence on a bodily and psychological degree.”

Speaking about his early days in Kosovo, Muriqi stated “Within the ’90s the Balkan warfare broke out and as a nine-year-old I began working in my Uncle’s restaurant. Then we had been advised to depart and go to Albania. I stop faculty at 16 to assist my mom and sister. No human being ought to see the issues I noticed throughout these years. A number of troopers got here and advised us they had been about to plant bombs and we needed to run for our lives. Residing these horror instances makes me respect.”

The interview was performed in Spanish and Muriqi is talking “road” Spanish in a comparatively brief time. Requested on the finish what his favorite Mallorcan dish was he answered “Arroz brut” !

PS Actual Mallorca/Actual Madrid, Sunday February 5 at 14:00 hrs.

AND FINALLY, three of the UK’s rock star dwelling legends are speaking about the very best items they’ve ever acquired from royalty and on the lookout for bragging rights. They’re in Roger Daltrey’s home and he’s displaying off this superb silver pinball machine. Daltrey says “Guys, this practice made silver Tommy pinball machine was given to me by the King of Sweden. He was an enormous followers of The Who and Pinball Wizard so he gave me this. Look, even the balls are stable silver.” To not be outdone, Paul McCartney pulls out a jewelry field and exhibits off an beautiful 24 carat gold beetle encrusted with diamonds. “This was given tome by the Emperor of Japan who was an enormous Beatles fan. What do you will have Mick ?” Jagger reaches into his pocket and pulls out an outdated paper serviette, opens it up and exhibits what appears to be like like a really stale bread roll and a says “This was a present from the King of Morocco, it’s fabulous.” Daltry and McCartney burst out laughing “What’s that Mick ?” they sneer, “A silly little bit of outdated bread ?!” Mick smiles and says “I do know it’s solely Moroccan roll however I prefer it !!!”