MALLORCA TODAY - Real Mallorca 1 : 1 Rayo Vallecano

The last-gasp win over Celta Vigo on Monday gave Mallorca a much-needed boost to avoid relegation. Four nights later, mid-table Rayo, who have had, by their standards, a pretty decent season, were the visitors. Another crucial three points for Mallorca?

Things did not start well. Piti putting Rayo ahead after only six minutes, but Alfaro, five minutes later, brought things back for Mallorca. A spate of yellow cards followed and very little else, other than Baptistao hitting a post for Rayo and Dos Santos falling down in the area and claiming a penalty that never was. Otherwise, tense.

The second half wasn't brilliant, and nor were Mallorca. Rayo were only so much better but hit the woodwork again and probably should have taken all three points. They didn't, but Mallorca are, on this performance, going to struggle to get out of trouble. They are fortunate, though, to have some pretty awful teams in similar trouble, one of them up next week - away at Zaragoza on Saturday, 27 April.

Mallorca:
Calatayud; Hutton, Geromel, Bigas, Kevin; Pina, Martí, Márquez (Arizmendi 76); Alfaro, Hemed (Pereira 68), Dos Santos
Goal: Alfaro (11)
Yellows: Bigas (18), Kevin (32), Hemed (46), Pina (87)

Rayo:
Rubén; Tito, Amat (Arbilla 71), Figueras, Casado; Fuego, Trashorras; Lass, Baptistao (Carlos 66), Piti; Delibasic (Tamudo 80)
Goal: Piti (6)
Yellows: Amat (14), Rubén (16), Tito (26), Lass (67)

MALLORCA TODAY - Real Mallorca 1 : 0 Rayo Vallecano

Mallorca, now suddenly with European ambitions, against Vallecano, the Madrid club still with relegation worries. Coach Caparrós started with an adventurous line-up, Nsue at right back again and two strikers on the park. It was Rayo, though, which made most of the play in the first half, striking the woodwork and creating far more chances than Mallorca. Better from the home side at the start of the second period, and it got better when Castro struck in the 61st minute. Three points and, well well, maybe it's game on for Europe from the final two matches: Levante at home and - maybe not - Real Madrid away.


Mallorca:
Aouate; Nsue (Bigas 87), Chico, Ramis, Cáceres; Martí, Pina, Pereira (Cendrós 83), Castro; Victor (Alfaro 45), Hemed
Goal: Castro (61)
Yellows: Chico (44), Ramis (67)

Rayo:
Cobeño; Tito, Arribas, Labaka, Pulido (Lass 67), Casado; Trashorras, Movilla (Michel 84), Michu; Tamudo (Delibasic 81), Costa
Yellows: Casado (8), Pulido (62), Arribas (76)