RCD Mallorca has rediscovered a lethal weapon in direct free-kicks, ending a drought of over four years with two goals from dead-ball situations in their last three league matches. According to Diario de Mallorca, the vermilion team has once again relied on this specialty to decide games, an aspect that seemed forgotten since the days of specialist Salva Sevilla.
Pablo Torre started the trend by scoring the 1-0 against Valladolid with a precise shot, the first direct free-kick goal for the club in more than 1,500 days. The last player to score one before him was Take Kubo, on January 15, 2022, in a Copa del Rey match against Espanyol. Alex Sala continued the streak by netting another free-kick against Ceuta, his second goal of this type in just three league matchdays.
Who are the new specialists?
Pablo Torre has positioned himself as the team's primary free-kick taker. In the match against Valladolid, he took responsibility from a dangerous position and delivered. His goal not only earned three points but restored confidence in a set-piece that seemed cursed.
Meanwhile, Alex Sala has shown he possesses a powerful right foot, useful for both scoring and assisting. Besides his free-kick goal, he had already provided a goal pass for Raíllo on the first matchday and a key assist for Buksa for the 3-0 in another game. His versatility is a significant asset for the manager.
How does this affect the team's play?
Mallorca has once again become a threat from a situation that was previously harmless. Now, when an opponent commits a foul near the box or concedes a corner, they know the danger is real. This forces rivals to be more careful in their challenges and can open spaces in other areas of the pitch.
The streak coincides with a good moment for the team in the standings. RCD Mallorca currently sits fifth in the Segunda División, with six points from two wins and one loss in their first three games. They have scored five goals and conceded only two, giving them a +3 goal difference. They are just one point behind the leader, Granada CF, according to the latest data on our standings page.
What's next for Mallorca?
The next challenge is an away trip to face bottom-placed Eldense on September 5th. A match that, on paper, seems winnable but requires maximum concentration to maintain the positive momentum. The squad wants to keep this dynamic going before the first international break of the season.
Off the pitch, the club has confirmed the contract termination of two detained footballers, closing a difficult chapter. On a positive note, Mallorcan cyclist Enric Mas, after a recent victory, told Diario de Mallorca: "I have had the best sensations of my career," showing the good atmosphere surrounding sport on the island. The next fixture against Eldense is an opportunity to keep adding points and solidify this strong start to the season, which you can track on our fixtures page.
