Mallorca vs Villarreal preview - Laudrup motivated for `special' game

Mallorca coach Michael Laudrup says his side will be fired up for what he calls a "special" game at home to Villarreal on Sunday.

Mallorca finished fifth in the Primera Division last season, but saw their Europa League place taken away due to financial irregularities and taken by Villarreal.

That provoked ill feeling between the two clubs and Laudrup says he can forgive, but not forget.

"The game is special and we all know why," he said.

"In life, my philosophy is that you should forgive, but never forget."

Perhaps more importantly for Mallorca, though, a win could secure survival for the Balearic outfit.

"Three more points and we would be safe," Laudrup said.

Mallorca currently have 42 points, which may already be enough.

Ironically, tomorrow's game comes just after Villarreal's Europa League exit, in the semi-finals against Porto following a 7-4 aggregate defeat.

Five-one down from the first leg, Villarreal could only win 3-2 at El Madrigal on Thursday night and coach Juan Carlos Garrido believes his side have taken the first step towards winning a title in future.

"We have learnt a lot and I believe we have taken an important step," he said.

"Now we have to pick ourselves up against Mallorca and fight for our other objective."

That will be a third-placed finish and automatic qualification for next season's Champions League.

At the moment, Villarreal are in fourth, just three points behind third-placed Valencia.

Tomorrow's game is also special as it kicks off at midday, five hours earlier than normal Primera Division fixtures on a Sunday.

The experiment is reportedly being carried out with a view to broadcasting more games in Asia next season.

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