Jagoba Arrasate getting RCD Mallorca into potential European play

Jagoba Arrasate

In scrolling through the names currently atop LALIGA this season, you would see the expected names, like FC Barcelona and Real Madrid, but just behind them is a surprising team.

RCD Mallorca has won five of its matches so far this campaign, seeking to build on their previous campaign that saw them reach the Copa del Rey final. Their form sees them in the top five of the Spanish top-flight, potentially giving them a shot at continental play for the first time in two decades.

Much of this is credited to the arrival of their new coach: Jagoba Arrasate. The 46-year-old is best known for what he achieved at CA Osasuna, where he managed to lead Los Rojillos to the Copa del Rey final in 2022/23.

The manager has taken a game-by-game approach to the season, something he highlighted post-match after they defeated Rayo Vallecano last week, 1-0. He says, "It’s just an anecdote that we’re fifth, but not that we already have 17 points. That’s something that does allow us to keep growing. I feel that the team is increasingly comfortable with this way of playing, and I know there’s still room to improve. We have to keep working with the same humility, while understanding that opponents will find it tough to play us."

Mallorca's season kicked off with an impressive 1-1 draw against defending champions Real Madrid, but they stalled in the next few matchdays until securing their first win of the season against CD Leganés. That sparked them winning four of their next five matches, with the win over Rayo a good bounce back after their winning streak was snapped by RCD Espanyol earlier this month.

Their form has been more of a collective effort, with no player having scored more than a couple of goals so far. Antonio Raillo has been the only player to have played every single minute so far this season, with the defender leading the cast in adjusting to a back four after playing a back five under their previous manager Javier Aguirre.

When Arrasate took over in the summer, he noted that he wanted the transition to be as smooth as possible. He said back then, "I want to bring my nuances and my way of seeing football. I want my team to be recognisable, something I oversaw in previous years and which I’d now like to see at RCD Mallorca. This is a team that is already settled and that is already a good team. I’m going to try to lead the team to an even higher level, aware that this is a tough ask, but we are motivated."

Mallorca will face a big test early Monday morning, as the Los Bermellones are set to host Athletic Bilbao, the team it is currently behind by goal difference in LALIGA. A huge result could see them potentially be in the race not just for continental play, but a chance to play in the Champions League.