MALLORCA TODAY - Draw in Madrid gives Mallorca hope

Atlético Madrid 0 : 0 Real Mallorca

What was billed as make or break for Mallorca in Madrid was not totally the case, and the result proved the point.

Márquez after five minutes tested Courtois as Mallorca started brightly. Atlético had a penalty appeal turned down as the game progressed evenly, Hutton matching Falcao in going close. Mallorca were forced into a change on the half hour, the injured Israeli striker Hemed being replaced by Nsue. Costa had a goal for Atlético ruled out because of offside shortly before the break as the home side began to assume dominance. A couple of minutes into the second period it was Mallorca's player of the season Dos Santos whose free kick caused Courtois some trouble, Victor's header soon after also showing that Mallorca weren't lying down. Godin, responding for Atlético, drew a stop from Aouate. Márquez again had an effort saved as Mallorca played out of their skins to get a vital away win, and it was perhaps his frustrated efforts on the evening that got Márquez a yellow a few moments later. Atlético then had another goal (this time by Falcao) ruled out for offside. Dos Santos, as ever, kept creating things for Mallorca and seven minutes before the end of normal time his shot went just past the post, and he and Hutton were involved in a right old scramble in the 88th minute that ended up being cleared by the Atlético defence.

A point for Mallorca, a remarkable point and they thoroughly deserved it. Everything now goes down to the last match of the season. The point for Mallorca puts them bottom as Vigo won away at Valladolid, who Mallorca play at home on the last day. Deportivo losing in Malaga means that Mallorca can stay up if they beat Valladolid and results go their way on 1 June.
 
Atlético:
Courtois; Juanfran, Miranda, Godin, Luís; Suárez, Gabi (Adrián 63), Koke (Rodríguez 88), Turan (Torres 57); Costa, Falcao
Yellows: Costa (14), Gabi (47), Miranda (59), Suárez (81), Godin (82)

Mallorca:
Aouate: Hutton, Geromel, Bigas, Luna; Tissone, Martí (Alfaro 74); Dos Santos, Márquez, Victor (Pereira 83); Hemed (Nsue 31)
Yellows: Victor (17), Nsue (62), Márquez (70), Pereira (90)