Martin Valjent Enthusiastic About New Mallorca Coach: "With Him, I Feel Calmer and More Confident"

In an interview with Diario de Mallorca, the Slovakian center-back details the changes within the team since Martín Demichelis's arrival, his perspective on the relegation battle, and why he rejects comparisons with the previous coach.

Mallorca's recent back-to-back victories have breathed new life into their survival hopes in Spain's top football league. However, Valjent remains grounded: "After two consecutive wins, the feeling is great. We haven't managed that all season, so we feel more encouraged. But that doesn't change the fact that we know our situation. It means we can't let up."

He believes this positive momentum must primarily serve as a foundation for further improvement. "This mood we have now, thanks to the results, must help us get even better."

The former center-back's arrival on the Balearic Islands' bench brought a clear shift in approach. "Every coach has their system – both in terms of play and communication. The person and management style change. The coach brought a very clear vision of football, and based on that, training sessions changed," Valjent states, also highlighting the Argentine coach's personal contribution: "He gives me a lot of peace of mind. He provides me with tools and information. With him, I feel calmer and more confident in training, in making decisions, and during matches."

He adds that for a defender, it's an ideal combination: "He's a very well-prepared coach, and for a defender, it's a luxury to have someone who had a great career in your position."

Despite improved performances, Valjent refuses to draw comparisons with former coach Jagoba Arrasate. "I don't think it's right to see it that way. When Jagoba arrived, the change was also good, and the results were fantastic," Valjent recalled.

The 30-year-old from Dubnica nad Váhom sees the difference more in the playing approach. "The way Demichelis understands football might differ slightly from previous coaches. We, as players, must be as prepared as possible, and then things either click better or worse."

The La Liga 2025/2026 table is incredibly tight. Valjent's team sits in 15th place with 34 points, but with seven rounds remaining, their survival is far from guaranteed. Eighteenth-placed Elche, the first team in the relegation zone, currently has 32 points.

"You win a game and you're out of the relegation zone, but then you lose the next and your rivals win, and you're back in it. This means the league is so balanced that we have to give 100 percent every day."

That's why he doesn't foresee a calm end to the season. "I don't know what will happen. We need to maintain the same mindset, the same hunger, and be alert in every single round."

Despite the absence of key defensive leaders, the team managed to keep a clean sheet, which Valjent sees as proof of the collective's strength. "Mallorca is 25 players, the fans, and the club. It's in moments like these that you see the team is the most important thing. Previously, the team conceded less but also scored less. Now we score more and concede more. That doesn't mean it's good."

The ideal scenario, he believes, is clear – it would be optimal to score more goals and concede fewer. "That's the path we need to find."

Valjent also praises teammate Vedat Muriqi, who, with 21 goals, is the league's second-highest scorer behind Kylian Mbappé, and there are media whispers of interest from Real Madrid and FC Barcelona. "He's in great form. Practically everything he touches ends up in the net. I hope he continues like this; he's very important for us. Our survival will probably depend on him."

At 30, Valjent admits he feels good but isn't focused on his peak. "I don't know when my peak was or will be. I always want to be available and help this club as best I can."

He also takes records in stride. "When I became the foreign player with the most appearances, I was very proud and grateful. But the most important thing is that my performances help the team."

Finally, he sent a clear message to the fans: "The fans are fantastic. We want to bring them joy and feel that energy in the stadium. I can only promise that we will work every day to be as prepared as possible."