Copa del Rey: RCD Mallorca aiming for the round of 16 — evening match in A Coruña

Copa del Rey: RCD Mallorca aiming for the round of 16

Away against Deportivo La Coruña — Kick-off 19:00

On the evening of Tuesday, 16 December 2025, Jagoba Arrasate's team heads to Galicia. At 19:00 in A Coruña the cup tie against Segunda División side Deportivo will begin. For Mallorca this is more than just another date in the calendar: it's a chance to confirm the form shown in the league win over Elche and to fill the week with positive news.

You can already feel it on the island in the afternoon: the air in Palma is a touch cooler, the sea sparkles along the Passeig Marítim, and in the bars around the Plaça de les Columnes fans in red scarves start to gather from midday, a scene echoed in Cup Nights in Mallorca: Five Island Teams in Copa del Rey Fever. Small shops on Avinguda Argentina put out flags, waiters with little caps offer mulled wine and tapas — a typical Mallorcan matchday scene in December.

Sportingly, the advantage clearly lies with Mallorca: the win over Elche has given the team momentum. You can sense the confidence when you see training images from the week and meet the players around town. Deportivo are no pushovers — the Segunda is tough — but the tie offers room for focused, tactical football and maybe chances for young players eager to prove themselves.

For the island economy, a cup evening like this is even useful. Hotels on Playa de Palma and in Portixol benefit from last-minute travelers who combine a football evening on the mainland with a weekend trip. Pubs on Calle Sindicat fill up, taxi drivers get more rides, the atmosphere in Palma is lively — a small economic boost without much fuss.

There is also good news for tomorrow: at Estadi Balear another local event that electrifies the island takes place. Atlético Baleares meet Atlético Madrid — a match that draws spectators and puts the stadium in a special light once more. Two days, two matches; that's what you call a football-rich week on Mallorca.

How can fans make the most of it? My recommendation: stretch your legs before the game anyway. A short walk along the Moll Vell, a coffee near Son Moix, then to the stadium or catch the broadcast at your favourite bar. If you're travelling to the away match, plan the return trip in good time — some trains run less frequently in winter. And: show respect. In the bars, at bus stops, in the squares — you're more likely to meet old acquaintances than you think.

From a sporting perspective, it's worth watching two things: first, whether Arrasate again fields a stable defence that allows fast counter-attacks; second, whether young attacking players get minutes. Cup matches are often a stage for surprises — not only on the pitch, but also for players' careers; for example, Copa del Rey: RCD Mallorca narrowly beats Numancia 3-2.

In the end there's a simple thought: an evening like this is an opportunity to experience community. Street lamps cast their warm light on the cobbles of Carrer de Sant Miquel, a bus honks on the Passeig, and somewhere in a tapas bar in El Born a victory is celebrated. Whether in the stadium in A Coruña or on the island — football connects people.

Outlook: If Mallorca advances to the round of 16, the club will not only be in a better sporting position. It's a moment that can fuel the season. For the fans it's another reason to be loud. For the city of Palma it means another brief episode in which the island is visible — unintentionally, but very visibly.

Short and practical: Kick-off at 19:00 in A Coruña. Soundscape on Mallorca: red scarves, clinking coffee cups, the soft rustle of the sea. We're keeping our fingers crossed — and we'll meet in the bars after the match.