Mallorca are proud to be the most successful of Spain's smaller clubs. After languishing in the third division only 20 years ago, they'll make their first appearance in the group stages on Tuesday. Claudio Ranieri laid the foundations in the mid-1990s and Hector Cuper led them to the brink of the Champions League and the Cup Winners' Cup final two seasons ago. Now they have lost another coach, Luis Aragones, who left for 'the love of his life', Atletico Madrid, in the summer.
The jury is still out on new coach Bernd Krauss, who suffered a 3-0 reverse to Las Palmas on the opening day of the season. Along with losing coaches, Mallorca are forced to sell their prize assets with a frightening regularity. Dani (Atletico Madrid), Lauren (Arsenal), Diego Tristan (Deportivo La Coruña) and Finidi George (Ipswich) have all left in recent seasons.For every star that leaves however, Mallorca appear to be able to find replacements with Vicente Engonga, Ariel Ibagaza and former Real Madrid striker Samuel Eto'o being particularly successful.
Danger man: Samuel Eto'o
