Espanyol vs. Mallorca: LaLiga Showdown at RCDE Stadium
Espanyol and Mallorca faced off in a crucial LaLiga EA Sports match at the RCDE Stadium. Espanyol aimed to continue their home winning streak, while Mallorca sought their first victory of the season. The match took place on Monday night in Barcelona.
Espanyol's Strong Start
Manolo González's Espanyol entered the match with momentum, having secured 7 out of 9 possible points. The team had invested in the transfer market to build a more complete squad. Key player Pere Milla had a strong start to the season, scoring two goals after missing much of the previous season.
Mallorca's Tumultuous Start
Mallorca had a challenging start, facing FC Barcelona and Real Madrid in their first three games. Besides having only one point, the team dealt with internal issues, including the removal of Dani Rodríguez as captain after expressing frustration about new signing Jan Virgili playing before him. Coach Arrasate sidelined Dani as a consequence.
"Caldero del Caos": The Atmosphere Surrounding Espanyol
The atmosphere around Espanyol has been dubbed "caldero del caos" (cauldron of chaos) after former NFL star JJ Watt used the expression to describe the passionate support at the RCDE Stadium. Velocity Sport Limited (VSL), a US investment fund, is set to take over ownership from Rastar, bringing a new injection of enthusiasm. This shift, even before completion, boosted morale, with over 35,000 season ticket holders.
Mallorca's Internal Conflicts
While Espanyol enjoys renewed optimism, Mallorca experiences a different kind of "caldero del caos" due to a challenging schedule and internal conflicts. Despite Pablo Maffeo resolving his issues with Jagoba Arrasate, Dani Rodríguez's suspension and removal as captain created further tension. Muriqi continued scoring goals for Kosovo despite the club's internal struggles.
Key Players and Uncertainties
Kumbulla faced Espanyol for the first time since leaving. Espanyol contemplated re-signing him, and fielded questions regarding the starting lineup. Calero or Rubio were contenders for a place at the centre of defense, and Roberto Fernández and Kike García as options for the attack. All this faced with Mallorca's volatile situation.