Alineaciones de R.C.D. Mallorca contra Athletic Club: Key Lineups and Insights for 2025

The clash between R.C.D. Mallorca and Athletic Club is a highlight of LaLiga pitting two teams with rich histories and contrasting styles against each other. Their encounters, including the memorable 2024 Copa del Rey final and recent LaLiga matches, have produced thrilling moments and tactical battles. This latest lineups (alineaciones) for R.C.D. Mallorca vs. Athletic Club focusing on key matches, player performances, and strategic insights. Drawing from credible sources like rcdmallorca.es, athletic-club.eus and marca.com, we aim to provide fans with a definitive guide to understanding these matchups and their significance in the LaLiga season.

Historical Context of Mallorca vs. Athletic Club

R.C.D. Mallorca and Athletic Club have a storied rivalry, with Athletic holding a slight edge in head-to-head encounters. According to fotmob.com, Athletic Club has won 9 of their last 18 meetings, with Mallorca securing 2 victories and 7 draws. Notably, Athletic hasn’t lost to Mallorca in their last six meetings, including a 2-2 draw in LaLiga and a penalty shootout victory in the 2024 Copa del Rey final (athletic-club.eus). These matches are often tight, low-scoring affairs, with Mallorca’s defensive resilience clashing against Athletic’s high-pressing, wing-driven attack.

The LaLiga season has seen both teams perform strongly, with Mallorca in 8th and Athletic in 4th as of March 2025 (sofascore.com). Their October 28, 2024, match at Estadi Mallorca Son Moix ended in a 0-0 draw, while the March 9, 2025, encounter at San Mamés resulted in a 1-1 tie (marca.com). These results underscore the tactical chess matches between coaches Jagoba Arrasate (Mallorca) and Ernesto Valverde (Athletic), making lineup analysis critical for fans and fantasy players alike.

Key Lineups for October 28, 2024 (LaLiga Matchday 11)

The October 2024 clash at Son Moix was a defensive battle, with Mallorca reduced to ten men after Samú Costa’s red card in the 22nd minute (athletic-club.eus). Below are the confirmed lineups, as reported by comuniate.com and rcdmallorca.es:

R.C.D. Mallorca (4-3-3)

• Goalkeeper: Dominik Greif
• Defenders: Pablo Maffeo, Martin Valjent, Antonio Raíllo, Johan Mojica
• Midfielders: Manu Morlanes, Sergi Darder, Samú Costa
• Forwards: Cyle Larin, Vedat Muriqi, Robert Navarro
• Substitutes (key): Dani Rodríguez, Omar Mascarell, Abdón Prats, Copete
• Notable Absences: Takuma Asano (injury), Pichu Cuéllar (injury)

Mallorca’s lineup reflected Arrasate’s preference for a compact, counter-attacking style. Greif, the Copa del Rey hero, was solid in goal, while Raíllo and Valjent formed a robust central defense. Muriqi, the team’s talisman, led the attack but was flagged offside on a key chance (laliga.com). Costa’s early dismissal forced Mallorca into a defensive shell, with substitutions like Mascarell and Copete reinforcing the backline.

Athletic Club (4-2-3-1)

• Goalkeeper: Julen Agirrezabala
• Defenders: Andoni Gorosabel, Aitor Paredes, Yeray Álvarez, Yuri Berchiche
• Midfielders: Mikel Jauregizar, Íñigo Ruiz de Galarreta, Oihan Sancet
• Forwards: Iñaki Williams, Gorka Guruzeta, Nico Williams
• Substitutes (key): Álex Berenguer, Ander Herrera, Óscar de Marcos, Álvaro Djaló
• Notable Absence: Unai Simón (injury)

Athletic’s lineup showcased Valverde’s reliance on the Williams brothers for pace and creativity. Agirrezabala, filling in for the injured Simón, made a crucial save against Muriqi (athletic-club.eus). Despite dominating possession and earning multiple corners, Athletic had two goals disallowed (one each for Iñaki and Nico Williams) and hit the crossbar via Nico, as reported by marca.com.

Tactical Insights

Mallorca’s early strategy focused on Muriqi’s physicality, but Costa’s red card shifted them to a 4-4-1 formation, with Darder and Morlanes dropping deeper. Athletic’s 4-2-3-1 leveraged Nico Williams’ dribbling (he created 12 big chances this season, per fotmob.com) and Berenguer’s late runs, but they struggled to break Mallorca’s low block. The 0-0 result was a testament to Mallorca’s resilience, as Arrasate noted post-match: The point is well-earned with ten men (marca.com).

Key Lineups for March 9, 2025 (LaLiga Matchday 27)

The return fixture at San Mamés was a more open affair, ending 1-1 with goals from Antonio Raíllo (Mallorca) and Nico Williams (Athletic) (sofascore.com). Below are the confirmed lineups, based on marca.com and sofascore.com:

R.C.D. Mallorca (4-2-3-1)

• Goalkeeper: Dominik Greif
• Defenders: Pablo Maffeo, Martin Valjent, Antonio Raíllo, Johan Mojica
• Midfielders: Omar Mascarell, Samú Costa
• Attacking Midfielders: Takuma Asano, Sergi Darder, Dani Rodríguez
• Forward: Vedat Muriqi
• Substitutes (key): Antonio Sánchez, Cyle Larin, Javi Copete, Manu Morlanes
• Notable Returns: Takuma Asano (recovered from injury)

Mallorca’s lineup saw Asano’s return, adding speed to the right flank. Raíllo’s goal from a Darder set-piece highlighted Mallorca’s aerial threat, while Greif’s saves, including one on Yeray Álvarez’s header, were pivotal (marca.com). The 4-2-3-1 formation allowed Darder to dictate play, with Costa and Mascarell providing defensive stability.

Athletic Club (4-2-3-1)

• Goalkeeper: Julen Agirrezabala
• Defenders: Andoni Gorosabel, Dani Vivian, Aitor Paredes, Yuri Berchiche
• Midfielders: Mikel Jauregizar, Íñigo Ruiz de Galarreta
• Attacking Midfielders: Iñaki Williams, Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams
• Forward: Gorka Guruzeta
• Substitutes (key): Álex Berenguer, Unai Gómez, Íñigo Lekue, Ander Herrera
• Notable Return: Unai Simón (available but not started)

Athletic stuck with their trusted 4-2-3-1, with Nico Williams scoring and creating chances (1.1 shots on target per match, per fotmob.com). Sancet’s interplay with Guruzeta stretched Mallorca’s defense, but poor finishing, including Iñaki Williams’ missed shot, cost them (marca.com). Valverde’s substitutions, like Berenguer and Gómez, added late energy but couldn’t secure the win.

Tactical Insights

Mallorca’s approach was proactive, with Asano and Rodríguez exploiting gaps on the flanks. Raíllo’s goal exposed Athletic’s set-piece vulnerability, as noted by marca.com. Athletic dominated possession (55%, per sofascore.com) but struggled against Mallorca’s organized defense, with Maffeo effectively containing Nico Williams. Valverde lamented the draw, citing equalized matches against Mallorca (marca.com).

Historical Lineup: 2024 Copa del Rey Final (April 6, 2024)

The 2024 Copa del Rey final was a defining moment, with Athletic winning 4-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw (athletic-club.eus). Below are the lineups, per estadiodeportivo.com:

R.C.D. Mallorca (5-3-2)

• Goalkeeper: Dominik Greif
• Defenders: Gio González, Martin Valjent, Antonio Raíllo, Javi Copete, Toni Lato
• Midfielders: Samú Costa, Sergi Darder, Dani Rodríguez
• Forwards: Vedat Muriqi, Cyle Larin
• Key Substitutes: Abdón Prats, Omar Mascarell

Athletic Club (4-2-3-1)

• Goalkeeper: Julen Agirrezabala
• Defenders: Óscar de Marcos, Dani Vivian, Aitor Paredes, Yuri Berchice
• Midfielders: Beñat Prados, Íñigo Ruiz de Galarreta
• Attacking Midfielders: Iñaki Williams, Oihan Sancet, Nico Williams
• Forward: Gorka Guruzeta
• Key Substitutes: Álex Berenguer, Iker Muniain, Raúl García

Mallorca’s 5-3-2 aimed to neutralize Athletic’s wingers, with Dani Rodríguez scoring the opener. Athletic’s equalizer came via Sancet, and Agirrezabala’s penalty saves secured the title (athletic-club.eus).

Key Players to Watch in 2025

R.C.D. Mallorca

• Vedat Muriqi: The striker’s physicality and aerial ability (6 goals in 2024-25, per marca.com) make him a constant threat.
• Sergi Darder: The playmaker’s vision and set-piece delivery are crucial, with key assists against Athletic (sofascore.com).
• Antonio Raíllo: The captain’s leadership and goal-scoring from defense are vital (marca.com).

Athletic Club

• Nico Williams: The winger’s pace and creativity (12 big chances created) are game-changers (fotmob.com).
• Oihan Sancet: His 1.1 shots on target per match add midfield dynamism (fotmob.com).
• Julen Agirrezabala: The goalkeeper’s clutch saves, especially in high-stakes matches, are invaluable (athletic-club.eus).

Fantasy Football and Betting Insights

For LaLiga Fantasy and Biwenger players, Mallorca’s Muriqi and Darder are reliable picks due to their consistent points from goals and assists (comuniate.com). Athletic’s Nico Williams and Sancet are high-value options for their attacking output. futbolfantasy.com notes that Mallorca’s defensive solidity makes Raíllo and Greif safe bets, while Athletic’s corner-heavy style (9 corners in October 2024) boosts Berenguer’s appeal. Betting odds from sofascore.com favor Athletic at home (1.8 vs. Mallorca’s 4.5), but Mallorca’s draw potential (3.3) is notable given their history.

Why These Lineups Matter

The alineaciones for Mallorca vs. Athletic Club reveal tactical philosophies: Mallorca’s disciplined, counter-attacking approach under Arrasate versus Athletic’s high-energy, wing-focused system under Valverde. The October 2024 draw showcased Mallorca’s resilience despite a red card, while the March 2025 tie highlighted their growing attacking threat with Asano’s return. Athletic’s reliance on the Williams brothers and Sancet ensures dynamism, but their inability to convert chances against Mallorca’s defense remains a challenge (marca.com).

For fans, understanding these lineups offers insights into match outcomes and player form. For fantasy managers, it informs strategic picks, especially in tight European qualification races. Mallorca’s 8th-place standing and Athletic’s 4th-place position in March 2025 make these matches pivotal for UEFA competition spots (sofascore.com).

Conclusion

The alineaciones de R.C.D. Mallorca contra Athletic Club in 2024 and 2025 reflect the tactical depth and competitive spirit of LaLiga. Mallorca’s defensive grit, led by Raíllo and Muriqi, consistently challenges Athletic’s flair, driven by Nico Williams and Sancet. From the 0-0 stalemate in October 2024 to the 1-1 draw in March 2025, these lineups tell a story of resilience, missed chances, and strategic evolution. The 2024 Copa del Rey final further cemented their rivalry, with Athletic’s penalty triumph a historic moment. As both teams vie for European spots, fans and fantasy players can rely on this guide to navigate line MBEDTLS.

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