Mallorca looking for revenge for Copa del Rey final

Last season, Mallorca fans experienced one of those dilemmas that every underdog faces when they go far in the Copa del Rey: should they prioritise the dream of the play-offs at the expense of their league performance , or should they keep their focus on a quiet survival? With Javier Aguirre at the helm, the ‘Bermellones’ managed to reach the final of the national knockout tournament and maintained their La Liga status seven points clear of Cadiz, the highest of the relegated trio - they were joined by Almería and Granada.
On their way to the title match, the islanders eliminated Boiro, Valle de Egues, Burgos, Tenerife, Girona and Real Sociedad. The early rounds, thanks to the recent change of format, were more difficult than usual as the tournament's lesser teams took to the pitch in their home stadiums. Later on, the complications shifted to the technical level with Michel's side, who qualified for the Champions League for the first time in their history, and Imanol Alguacil's side, used to high levels and favourites in the knockouts.
Leaving behind this knife-edge path, as demonstrated by the penalty shoot-out victory over the San Sebastian side, the Balearic side went to the Estadio de La Cartuja to challenge a legendary club in this competition, Athletic. Mallorca launched an understandable tactic of defence given the level Ernesto Valverde managed and still manages, and ended the match triumphant even though they started the game losing. The penalty spot made them champions.
Six and a half months later, Mallorca are once again facing the representatives of San Mames, but in the first half of La Liga. Much has changed in the day-to-day running of the dressing room, with a new leader, Jagoba Arrasate, who took the reins after Javier Aguirre and the board decided to part ways.
The former Osasuna coach was highly valued in Pamplona, where he worked from January 2018 until June 2024 by his own decision. For the time being, the new direction he needed is confirming him as an elite strategist in Spain. He has improved the performance of the Son Moix project to the point where they are level on points with tonight's opponents in the standings. They are aiming to stay in the European places, from which they have only provisionally dropped because their match is the last one of the day.
The mathematical incentive contrasts with the emotional one, which will float over the stands. The fans are eager to avenge the Copa del Rey final, even though they were left with the good taste of having fought until the end. There is always the bitter aftertaste of imagining that, having come so far, the ideal thing would have been to make the most of it because the next occasion could take a while. What will not take long is revenge. The island is crying out for it.