Racing de Santander vs Mallorca preview - Caparros keeps his eye on the prize

Posted Thursday, April 12, 2012 by PA

Real Mallorca coach Joaquin Caparros is determined to ensure no complacency creeps into his squad as they look to guarantee themselves Primera Division football for next season.

Mallorca appeared comfortably placed in mid-table after taking eight points from four games at the start of March, but just one point from their last three outings, combined with the improved form of several of the teams below them, means there is still work to do for the Balearic club.

They head into Thursday's trip to struggling Racing Santander in 15th in the table, seven points above Real Zaragoza and the relegation zone.

"We won't allow anyone to relax, we've achieved nothing yet," said Caparros. "Nor will the players relax subconsciously. That's my obligation and if we don't get a positive result it won't be because we're too relaxed."

Mallorca will be expected to pick up three points against a Racing side who are without a victory in three months and who have lost seven of their last nine matches.

Nevertheless, Caparros said: "Their fans are going to be behind them and it's going to be a difficult game. We need to be focused and on our game. Mathematically they still have a chance and much will depend on Thursday's game.

"We are playing for our lives, since July we've worked very hard, we want our reward for that and above all to reward our fans."

Racing's bid to escape the drop has not been helped by a spate of red cards, with six coming in their last 12 league matches.

The latest came in Monday's fixture at high-flying Malaga, with Francis Perez receiving his marching orders in just the third minute as 10-man Racing slumped to a 3-0 defeat that leaves them seven points away from safety.

Racing coach Alvaro Cervera said: "We cannot play so many games with only 10 players. It's not even that we are a man down for less than 10 minutes, it's usually been for around half the match and this is a burden that Racing cannot allow.

"In football, when something repeats itself it's not by accident. It's not the referees fault that we are having so many players sent off, it's because we are doing something wrong, or that we are arriving late or aren't in the right place."