Mateo Joseph will have gone into Saturday evening’s clash against Barcelona, hoping to come off the bench and show Leeds United and Daniel Farke they had made a mistake.
Joseph pushed through a move back to Spain this summer, but in his words, Joseph only decided to leave after Farke told him he would not be counting on him. Reluctantly, Leeds let Joseph join Mallorca on loan.
Joseph’s comments this weekend came after Farke said he had requested to leave Leeds, and told Farke he did not want to join the squad in Germany, during Leeds’ pre-season training camp based in Germany.
But Joseph’s interview also came on the same weekend that he made his debut for Mallorca. The Spain U21 ace will be desperate to prove to Farke that he was wrong not to start him more often last season.
Mateo Joseph in action for Mallorca.
Photo by JAIME REINA/AFP via Getty Images
Mateo Joseph’s Mallorca debut a disaster as Raphinha shines
But looking to prevent Joseph from making the perfect start were Barcelona. The La Liga winners are widely expected to go again and assert their dominance at the top of Spanish football under Hansi Flick.
Raphinha in action for Barcelona.
Photo by Cristian Trujillo/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
But Mallorca were the architects of their own downfall. Joseph started from the bench and came on just after half-time, but the Leeds ace was inserted into a situation where he could make absolutely no impact.
By the point of his arrival, Raphinha had given Barcelona the lead, before Ferran Torres netted a second. Mallorca received two red cards in the first 45 before Joseph entered the fray, leaving Joseph helpless.
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Mateo Joseph’s stats as Mallorca lose easily to Barcelona
While Joseph cannot be blamed even in the slightest for Mallorca’s defeat, he will be gutted not to have helped spring a surprise. Such is Joseph’s ambition, the striker will have been dreaming of an upset.
Mateo Joseph’s stats as Mallorca suffer 3-0 loss:
45 minutes played, 6.1 FotMob rating
XG+XA: 0.00
0 shots, 0 successful dribbles, 0 touches in opposition box
16 touches, five successful passes, two misplaced
1 defensive contribution, 1 block
5 duels won, two lost
It is a tricky start to Mallorca’s La Liga campaign. Barcelona first up, before Celta Vigo at home next time out before Real Madrid in their third game. With Vedat Muriqi sent off, Joseph may now get to start.