By Monro Bryce

Copyright majorcadailybulletin

After a week when in the UK teenagers are set to grind to a halt completely – as energy drinks are expected to be banned for the Under 16s! – Real Mallorca have a demanding fixture list on the horizon starting with Espanyol in Barcelona on Monday night (September 15), kick off 21:00. That’s followed by Atletico Madrid (H) on Sunday 21st at 16:15, Real Sociedad (A) on Wednesday 24th at 21:30, Alaves (H) on Saturday 27th at 18:30 and Athletic Club (A) on Saturday October 4 at 18:30.

Monday night’s opponents Espanyol are one of Real Mallorca’s “Bogey teams” and their Cornella stadium is not a happy hunting ground for us. The “Budgies” have been a revelation this early in the season and have seven points from a possible nine. They have taken a historic change of direction over the Summer after a disappointing ownership period from a Chinese consortium. A company called Velocity Sports Partners led by English businessman Alan Pace (also the owner of English Premier League side Burnley) have turned the club into one of the most ambitious in Spanish football in recent years. They recently signed the former Blackburn Rovers forward Tyrhys Dolan.

After our last game – a narrow 2-1 defeat at Real Madrid – there was precious little talk about how well we’d played against quality world class opposition. Early Sunday morning after the game, Dani Rodriguez’s rant about his lack of game time and the lack of respect shown to him took centre stage with talk shows and the internet going into overdrive. When the team (minus the eight players away on international duty) gathered for a bonding session on the following Monday at the Son Bibiloni training ground, coach Arrasate delivered two clear messages : no more acts of indiscipline, both public and private; and making it clear that Dani Rodriguez will find it very difficult to get any playing time again. Dani’s future at RCD Mallorca looks bleak and just what he does next is unknown.

His absence reduces our midfield options and leaves Mallorca without one of its most charismatic players in recent years. He was one of the leaders in the dressing room and Muriqi’s best mate.
There has been no other player in the squad who has played more times in La Liga (183) and it’s such a shame he couldn’t control his emotions.

The majority of Mallorquinistas interviewed by a local publication considered that the club’s disciplinary measures handed out to be fair, while also condemning his behaviour towards the coach. Another player, Pablo Maffeo, was on our “want-away at all costs” list since the end of last season. Several bids arrived, none of which were acceptable to the club or the player. Maffeo had fallen out with a section of the Son Moix crowd.

It looked like if he stayed on, he’d have to eat humble pie and apologise to the aggrieved fans.
Earlier this week a remorseful Maffeo went on local media outlets to confirm he wanted to “grab the bull by the horns” and regain his place in the side. With his stay on the island mandatory, the defender has taken sound advice and reinforced his commitment to the club. Maffeo’s a vital part of the team and has played through the pain barrier on several occasions. One thing’s for sure, he knows how to apologise.

One player who will be key to keeping up the dressing room harmony is club captain, the untouchable Antonio Raillo. He must make it clear that any personal grievances must be kept “in house.”
Raillo has played with several coaches since his arrival in 2016 and has become one of the most important players in the modern history of Real Mallorca. The club would do well to wrap up the remaining loose ends of Raillo’s contract renewal as soon as possible.

On Monday night I watched the second half of the Kosovo/Sweden game in Pristina. The home side, against all the odds, beat the Swedish team that contained multi-million-euro signings Alexander Isak and Viktor Gyökeres (both hardly got a kick) 2-0. Our very own Vedat Muriqi (the Kosovan captain) scored the second goal with a “howitzer” left foot strike from outside the box to produce one of the biggest upsets of the night and in Kosovan footballing history. Muriqi looked like the player he was last year and his performance augers well for the new season.

Barcelona’s home game against Valencia on Sunday night will make history at the Estadi Johan Cruyff in front of just 6,000 fans, the lowest capacity stadium to ever host a La Liga match this century with public attendance. A draw is to be made to see which of Barça’s 100,000 socios will be able to watch the game inside the stadium. Rumour has it that, allegedly, a VIP box could cost as much as 900 euros !

PS England beat Serbia 0-5. It’s coming home, get the open top bus out of the garage!

AND FINALLY, A boy goes to his dad and says “Daddy, I’ve fallen in love with this hot girl.”
Hid dad asks “Fantastic son, who’s the lucky girl ?”
“It’s Sandra, Dad, from next door.” His father tells him “Oh, my god, I wish you hadn’t said that. You see, and you mustn’t tell Mummy about this ever, Sandra is actually your sister.”
The boy’s really upset about this, then a couple of months later tells his dad again “Daddy, guess what ? I’ve fallen in love again and this girl is even hotter.” His father again asks “Who is it this time, son?”
He’s told “It’s Angela, Daddy, our other neighbour.” His dad explains “Son, I don’t know how to tell you this, But Angela is also your sister.”
This scenario goes on a couple of times more and every time the father rejects the boy’s girlfriend. Crying his eyes out, he goes to see his mummy.
“I’ve fallen in love with six girls but I can’t date any of them because Daddy is their father.”
Mummy hugs the boy affectionately, “Sweetie-pie, you can date whoever you want, he isn’t your father!”