Can Mallorca end magical season with European Football?

With a Copa del Rey, Supercopa de Espana and a runners up medal in the UEFA Cup Winners Cup, Mallorca were once one of the very best teams in Spanish football.

But a slow decline and financial issues have caused them to fall from the position they once held in the game. From relegations to bottom half finishes, Los Piratas fans have come to expect that those heights may not be reached again.

Reason To Dream

The 2024/25 campaign has given Mallorca the opportunity to dream once more. Having finished 15th position with 40 points last season, Los Bermellones have already matched their previous points tally with ten games to go and now have their eyes set on European qualification.

Sitting just four points behind 5th place, a spot in the Europa League is no longer an impossible dream for Jagoba Arrasste’s side.

Orgull de Mallorca 🥹 pic.twitter.com/HvumAkuSrz

— RCD Mallorca (@RCD_Mallorca) March 16, 2025

Having started the campaign with just one win in five matches, it looked like Mallorca would once again see themselves languishing towards the bottom half of the table.

However, a spell of just three defeats over the months of September to November gave Mallorca a sense that this season could be something different.

Tactics

A reason for Mallorca’s success this season comes down to Jagoba Arrasate’s ability to adapt and change his tactics when needed. Mallorca have used a host of formations this campaign such as a 4-2-3-1, 4-4-2 and a 5-4-1 depending on the opponent.

🔢 Las veces que el Mallorca, tras 28 partidos de Liga, ha sumado 40pts o más:

97/98, 43pts con Héctor Cúper.
98/99, 48pts con Héctor Cúper.
00/01, 46pts con Luis Aragonés.
09/10, 47pts con Gregorio Manzano.
24/25, 40pts con Jagoba Arrasate.

Historia. pic.twitter.com/kmS9CbSOpl

— FutbolMallorca (@FutbolMallorca) March 15, 2025

The Spanish manager was appointed Mallorca manager on the 1st July 2024 following a successful spell with Osasuna, having guided them to the Copa del Rey final for the first time in 18 years and qualifying for the UEFA Europa Conference League - a return to Europe for the first time in 16 years.

Recruitment

Mallorca’s fairytale season is even more impressive when you take into account that just €2.5 million was spent in the transfer window, despite having made a total of €14 million through the sales of Predrag Rajkovic, Giovanni Gonzalez and Amath Ndiaye.

Instead of spending on replacements, trusted those within the squad despite narrowly escaping relegation the season prior.

A total of ten players have shared the goal scoring amongst the team this season with Vedat Muriqi leading the way with seven goals from 23 appearances. When it comes to assists Dani Rodriguez tops the charts having assisted six goals in his 28 appearances.

CAP AMUNT SEMPRE AMUNT 🔴⚫️ pic.twitter.com/nJNfToZzES

— Vedat Muriqi (@MuriqiVedat) March 16, 2025

Recent Form

A recent string of results that includes a win against Espanyol and draws versus Athletic Club and Sevilla has seen Mallorca go five games without facing a defeat.

With the La Liga season coming to a close, Mallorca are on the brink of playing European football for the first time since 2004. Having already surpassed expectations could one final push see a once great Spanish club return to Europe?