It has been the most difficult week for RCD Mallorca and its fans, after disappointing performances in two matches against Girona and Rayo. On Sunday there were also verbal clashes with fans, while the team is very close to the relegation zone.
In this tense situation, striker Vedat Muriqi spoke to "COPE" radio, directly addressing Mallorca fans and calling for unity.
"If we break ties with the fans with 19 games to play, then we're done."
Muriqi stressed that he fully understands the fans' frustration over the poor performances and criticism that the team is not fighting hard enough. He is convinced that things will change, although paradoxically his record 11 goals in the first half of the season have not been enough to improve the team's position, something that coach Jagoba Arrasate has also publicly acknowledged.
The Kosovar striker is convinced that Mallorca will have a much better second half of the season and remembers the support of the fans in the most difficult moments, especially the dramatic survival under the leadership of Javier Aguirre.
"I always remember that year when Granada beat us badly. I went out for dinner and some fans encouraged me, telling me that we still had three games and we could survive. I was very surprised. I want the fans to continue to be like that, because that helps us stay in the category. I have no doubt that this team will remain in the elite."
Muriqi also spoke about his experience with the great pressure in Turkey.
"I also played in Turkey, where the pressure is much greater and they don't forgive any mistakes. For example, at Fenerbahce you have to be like a robot. It's impossible."
The debates with the fans on Sunday, according to him, were more constructive than reported. Although there were rumors of a violent clash between some fans and Mojica, Muriqi and some of his teammates had calm conversations with the rest of the fans.
"Some of us players were there, like Alfonso Diaz, talking to the fans. We even called a manager to calm the situation down. I told them that no one in the team wants to lose after just five minutes of play. No one wants to be in this situation. They told us that the passion was not showing. I understand and I agree, because the results are not going well for us. It is our duty to change this."
"If we start to fall apart with 19 games left, we're done. We have to start winning and turn things around. With seven points you can be tenth. The fans have to support us like they always have. I repeat, if we destroy everything, there's no point."
Muriqi admits that the team suffers from a lack of confidence and that more chances need to be created.
"There's a bit of a lack of confidence. If you look at the standings, we're all very close. I'm not saying the relationship with the fans is broken, but before they didn't boo us. We need to build the game more, sometimes we lack the final pass. These are things we need to improve. I always talk to my teammates, they know I'm there for every ball in the box and I try to convince them to put more balls in."
Muriqi also expressed dissatisfaction with the judging, especially the penalty given to Valjent in Vallecas and the fouls that were constantly awarded against him in aerial duels.
"It's something I don't even want to think about, because it makes me so angry. They tell me I'm stronger and, because I'm stronger, the foul is mine? They often call me a foul and nothing is called."
As for leadership, the Mallorca striker emphasizes that he doesn't need the captain's armband to lead the team.
"All my life, after my father's death, I have been the leader of my family. I was seven when he died and I started working at the age of eight. I have always been a leader. On the field we have captains like Rai and Martin, I don't need the armband. I try to help, to speak, to shout on the field. The only goal is victory and my teammates respect me."Telegraph
