Mallorca Test

“The bread and butter” is what Real Mallorca coach Bernd Krauss called league games a few weeks ago after his team went down 3-0 at home to Las Palmas. The following week Mallorca bounced back with an impressive 1-0 victory at Athletic Bilbao and then a win over Arsenal by the same score-line in the Champions League. But as soon as the European euphoria died down the players forgot Krauss's wise words and a lack of focus led them to a dire 0-0 draw at home to a ten-man Alaves. It was obvious the team had one eye on their match against Panathinaikos, their second Champions League match, which they subsequently lost 2-0 in Athens. To earn their bread today, Mallorca need to beat league leaders Celta de Vigo, a team Johan Cruyff habitually calls the most exciting and talented in Spain, at their Balaidos stadium, kick-off 19.00. Not the easiest way for 12th placed Mallorca to get back on track in the league. One of the things laying heavy on Krauss's mind must be the lack of goals Mallorca has scored this season. With one league goal in three games, the team has the second worst tally, something that must improve if Mallorca are to improve on last season's third place finish. Despite Mallorca's lack of form in front of goal, Celta coach Victor Fernandez is not expecting the easy run out his side had in their 4-0 UEFA Cup victory over Czech side Sigma Olomouc on Thursday.