Mallorca hold the key to survival

Real Mallorca's 2-0 win at Rayo Vallecano last week should serve to steady their nerves but tomorrow night's game is another vital match for the side, against an Osasuna side not out of relegation trouble themselves. Osasuna will arrive in Palma today on a mission and Mallorca coach Kresic said yesterday that the visiting side “plays as a solid unit and plays by memory.” But he said that he has not spent too much time this week worrying about Osasuna “at this stage of the game, what matters most is how we approach the match.” “We're going to be playing out second league game to avoid relegation and we've got to be focused and have faith in our abilities.” “We've got to show our rivals due respect, but we hold the key.” Kresic has problems over who to replace the injured Engonga with, there are still doubts about Francisco Soler, but the coach said “what ever happens there'll be eleven players out against Osasuna and each one will be the best he can.” Osasuna coach Miguel Angel Lotina, said yesterday that his side is capable of winning in Palma. He is well aware of Mallorca's injury problems and a victory will help to ease the pressure on him and his players. Miguel Angel Lotina admitted that he is surprised at Mallorca's poor performance in the league this season “they got in to the Champions League which nobody expected so the pressure was not on, but now they've got themselves into a position of immense pressure.” Lotina is wary of Mallorca's strike force, but he said that Kresic plays a similar game to himself “so it should be an interesting game. “We're both under massive pressure to survive in the first division.”