Luis García Fernández faces his first major test as RCD Mallorca manager. This weekend's match against Unión Deportiva Las Palmas at Son Moix is a key encounter for the Asturian coach, who managed the Canary Islands side last season.
Mallorca approach this fixture with an urgent need to win. Having taken just one point from their last two games, the team sits fifth in the Liga Hypermotion with 14 points, six points off the second automatic promotion spot. The recent run, featuring a draw against Girona and a loss to Almería, has generated some unrest around the club. The team has scored key late goals, with 45% of their goals this season coming between the 61st and 90th minutes.
A reunion with the past
Luis García took charge of the Mallorca project three months ago. His previous stint was at Las Palmas, where he managed 42 league matches in the 2025-26 season, recording 20 wins, 14 draws, and 11 defeats. He arrived following the team's relegation, and his tenure was marked by internal tensions, including criticism for not trusting the youth academy and controversial decisions in key matches. His successor in the yellow dugout is now Rubén de la Barrera.
The match represents a potential turning point. "Only three months after taking charge of the Mallorca project, Luis García Fernández faces his first major exam," the coach himself stated. A win could stabilise the situation and rebuild confidence, while a defeat would push the team further away from the top spots. In that scenario, the gap to second place could widen to nine points.
League context and next steps
The Segunda División is proving fiercely competitive. From fourth-placed Girona down to thirteenth-placed Leganés, there are just three points separating the teams. Mallorca, on 14 points, needs to consolidate their strong home form, the most positive aspect of their season so far, to keep pace.
After this fixture, the schedule does not let up. The next matchday will take RCD Mallorca to Ipurúa to face the league leaders, Eibar, on Saturday, October 26 at 20:00. The full season calendar, with all the details, is on our fixtures page. With eight matchdays played, the team has four wins, two draws, and two losses, and has yet to string together more than two consecutive victories. Striker Fuentes, with four goals, is the team's top scorer this campaign.
This story first appeared at amp.ultimahora.es
