MALLORCA TODAY - Athletic Bilbao 2 : 1 Real Mallorca

Maybe not decisive today, but if Mallorca lose in Bilbao, their chances of staying up become more remote.

Things got off to a bad start. Aduriz had a dust-up with Fontás and straight afterwards headed Bilbao into the lead, Tissone having given the ball away and allowed Aurtenetxe to send in a cross. Fontás, who has hardly featured this season, didn't take long to become even less of a feature. Handball in the area and he was off, following his second yellow. A let-off though for Mallorca, Aouate saving Aduriz's penalty. Into the second half, and Dos Santos, Mallorca's best player all season, saw his shot from a direct free-kick saved by Iraizoz. Mallorca were going for it, but it was Bilbao who struck through Llorente. Almost immediately, though, Mallorca were back in the game. This time, Dos Santos's free-kick beat the Bilbao keeper. Two minutes later, the Mexican had another go, only going just wide of the post. As the clock ran down, Mallorca desperate for an equaliser, Ximo picked up his second yellow. Mallorca down to nine men. Dos Santos managed one final effort but it was to no avail. Mallorca remained stuck on 29 points at the bottom of La Liga and so four points behind Osasuna in the safety spot of 17th.

With three matches to go, Mallorca still have hope, but it is fading. Osasuna (playing later today) could move up. Zaragoza are in 16th spot with 34 points, having drawn last night, and Granada, away to Sociedad on Monday, are in 15th with 35 points. Mallorca have Betis at home a week on Monday, and Betis, who are at home to lowly Vigo tomorrow, have a chance of a Europa League spot. The final two games are away to Atlético Madrid and at home against Valladolid.


Bilbao:
Iraizoz; Iraola, Ekiza, San José (Iturraspe 45), Aurtenetxe; Gurpegi, Ander; Susaeta, De Marcos, Muniain (Gómez 71); Aduriz (Llorente 55)
Goals: Aduriz (7), Llorente (78)
Yellows: Aduriz (5), Gurpegi (30), De Marcos (58), Iraola (82)

Mallorca:
Aouate; Hutton, Geromel, Fontás, Ximo; Martí (Nsue 67), Pina, Tissone; Dos Santos, Victor (Arizmendi 57), Hemed
Goal: Dos Santos (80)
Reds: Fontás (24), Ximo (90)
Yellows: Fontás (5), Ximo (24), Martí (30), Hutton (74)