Arrasate Fumes at Fixture Pile-up: 'We're the Only Team Playing Tuesday-Friday Twice'
Mallorca boss Jagoba Arrasate expresses frustration with scheduling ahead of Valencia clash as his side looks to bounce back from Copa del Rey exit.
Arrasate Points Finger at Unfair Fixture Congestion for Mallorca
Jagoba Arrasate isn’t a happy bunny heading into Mallorca’s final match of the year at Valencia’s Mestalla Stadium. The gaffer has highlighted what he sees as unfair treatment in the fixture list, with his side being forced into a grueling schedule that’s left them knackered.
“We’re the only team that will play Tuesday and Friday twice,” Arrasate lamented, clearly brassed off about the situation that’s seen his squad’s travel plans go Pete Tong after their Copa del Rey exit against Deportivo La Coruña.
The Mallorca boss detailed their nightmare journey:
- Stuck at the airport until the early hours
- Forced to return to their hotel
- Minimal recovery time before the Valencia clash
“It’s not ideal, but we need to make one final push because tomorrow’s match demands it,” he added, refusing to use the circumstances as an excuse.
Copa Heartbreak
The midweek cup exit at Riazor has clearly left Arrasate gutted, though he’s trying to shift focus to their improving league form. Unlike some managers who might find solace in other top-flight teams also being knocked out, Arrasate was having none of it.
“It doesn’t console me that other Primera teams have been eliminated. What frustrates me is that we were better in many phases of the game but couldn’t translate it to the result,” he explained.
Physical Condition Controversy
Arrasate also took aim at reports questioning his team’s physical condition, dismissing published data as inaccurate.
“There’s been a lot of talk and some data has emerged that isn’t accurate. Since matchday 6 when we had that ‘click’, we’re in the top 10 for distance covered and high-intensity running,” he insisted, calling for more rigorous analysis.
Looking Forward
Despite the challenging circumstances, Arrasate remains optimistic about ending 2025 on a high note against Valencia:
“We’re making small steps forward, although we’re coming off a very painful defeat. For the mind, having a match soon is best. For the body? I’m not sure, but that’s what we’ve got.”
A win at Mestalla would not only distance Mallorca from the relegation zone but also help erase the bitter taste of their cup exit. As Arrasate put it with typical British understatement: “If we win tomorrow, the year-end balance will be better, but 2026 has to be better than 2025.”