Mallorca is one of the tougher defenses conceding 44 which compares quite favourably with Real’s 39. However a majority of their 16 losses have come in the last minutes of the game. The last time Real met Mallorca, they beat them, 1-0 through a Reyes goal in the 78th minute. The Galacticos have made a killing of scoring late through a number of players, including Van Nistelrooy who is riding the hot hand.
Mallorca has some attacking depth in Venezuelan Juan Arongo with his nine goals. In midfield Angelos Basinas who was courted by Everton and Birmingham City after his release from Panathinaikos has been their guide. Basinas has been instrumental in the Mallorca escaping relegation. Mallorca’s goals have also come from their defense with Nunes, Fernando Navarro and Fernando Varela all scoring in crucial matches.
Gregorio Manzano, Mallorca’s manager has stated that his team will not concede anything.
He told Spanish newspaper Marca: “Mallorca will go all out to win the game – no more, no less. I am not looking for any extra credit from anyone because of this game.
“I don’t need to make any more friends in Madrid or have a statue of me built in Barcelona.”
Mallorca is no pushover and Real would have clearly loved to have met Gimnastic for their last and most important game. Instead Barca face a much easier time in Gimnastic who have conceded 64 goals and are at the bottom of the table.
This match will be the last for Roberto Carlos and David Beckham at Real. After 11 seasons Carlos departs for Fenerbahce and Beckham moves on after four season to resume his career at the LA Galaxy. A title would be a wonderful swansong.
Prediction: Barca retains the title after beating Gimnastic with Mallorca holding out Real to a draw.