MALLORCA TODAY - Real Madrid 4 : 1 Real Mallorca

A European place up for grabs. Last day of the season. Where better or easier for Mallorca than a trip to champions to Real Madrid.

The story of the match could probably have been pre-written. Madrid all over Mallorca who had opted for a set-up to try and frustrate; it was never going to work, and it didn't. Özil's first strike just after the half-time break pretty much settled things after Ronaldo and Benzema had given Madrid a two-goal lead after 45 minutes. Castro got one back, only for Özil to do with his right foot after 57 minutes what he had done with his left nine minutes earlier.

It was always going to be a long shot for Mallorca, the European place. Away at Madrid on the final day of the season was the worst possible game, and so it proved. Mallorca finish eighth, Levante taking the sixth slot after a 3-0 beating of Bilbao. Elsewhere, Villarreal are relegated, following a home defeat to Atletico Madrid, a result that will give Mallorca some consolation, as they remember all the bad blood with Villarreal over a European place from two seasons ago.

But a brave effort by Mallorca. Really brave. Relegation beckoned not so long ago, but the team put itself in with an unexpected chance of European representation. But brave also because the team achieves things in spite of all the ridiculous shenanigans off the field. If these were put right, who knows, maybe the team could be a real contender. Congratulations, Mallorca and coach Caparrós, a valiant effort; eighth is actually an achievement.


Madrid:
Casillas; Arbeloa (Albiol 43), Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo (Coentrao 76); Khedira, Alonso; Benzema, Özil, Ronaldo; Higuain (Di María 66)
Goals: Ronaldo (19), Benzema (22), Özil (48, 57)

Mallorca:
Aouate (Calatayud 82); Cendrós, Chico, Ramis, Cáceres; Pina, Martí; Pereira (Alfaro 45), Castro, Bigas (Tissone 53); Victor
Goal: Castro (51)
Yellow: Castro (62)

MALLORCA TODAY - Real Mallorca 1 : 0 Levante

After all the worries of possible relegation, Mallorca went in to this evening's game in seventh place on 49 points, two places and three points behind opponents Levante. The possibility of a Europa League spot had opened up, but with the final match of the season next week away at champions Real Madrid, Mallorca had to win in order to give themselves a realistic shot at European football. 

Levante had two chances early on, Mallorca gained the ascendant in the first half and the domination continued into the second period and was confirmed by Pina putting the home side ahead on 54 minutes. Not exactly an open and flowing game, but Mallorca were rarely troubled. And so they took three points, going above Levante and finding themselves in sixth place.

Mallorca:
Aouate; Nsue (Cendrós 80), Crespí, Chico, Cáceres; Pina, Martí; Pereira, Alfaro (Hemed 45), Castro; Victor (Marí 87)
Goal: Pina (54)
Yellow: Pereira (90)

Levante:
Munúa; Venta, Ballesteros, Navarro, López (Suárez 72); Torres, Iborra (Juanlu 77); Valdo, Barkero, Botelho; Ghezzal
Yellows: Iborra (60), Munúa (83), Botelho (90)

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)

MALLORCA TODAY - Getafe 1 : 3 Real Mallorca

Shackles off? Against Getafe, also safe for another season, Mallorca generally dominated, Victor opening the scoring with a header on the half hour, Alfaro heading a second with 20 minutes of the second period gone, following a cross from Nsue, ostensibly a right back, indicating a more adventurous approach from coach Caparrós. Hemed, on for three minutes, added a third. Getafe got a consolation goal in added time, but all of a sudden maybe talk is now of a Europa League spot for Mallorca (unlikely as Bilbao in sixth spot are away at bottom-three Zaragoza tomorrow).

Getafe:
Moyá; Valera, Dáz, Alexis, Mané (León 67); Michel (Casquero 57), Lacen; Castro, Barrada (Güiza 57), Gavilán; Miku
Goal: Alexis (90)
Yellows: Miku (60), Díaz (74), Lacen (78), Moyá (78), Casquero (81)

Mallorca:
Aouate; Nsue, Chico, Ramis, Bigas; Martí (Joao Victor 57), Pina; Pereira, Alfaro (Hemed 74), Castro; Victor
Goals: Victor (29), Alfaro (67), Hemed (77)
Yellows: Alfaro (43), Ramis (55), Victor (60)

MALLORCA TODAY - Real Mallorca 1 : 0 Real Zaragoza

One more win and there would be absolutely no more fear of a Mallorca relegation. At home to a bottom-three side, Zaragoza, desperate for points to escape the drop, could have been expected to have been a nervy affair, and the teams were fairly evenly-matched, Victor though making the difference in the first half by heading Mallorca into the lead. Though Zaragoza made chances in the second period, they never really threatened Mallorca who were happy to sit back towards the end of the game and who took the vital three points.

Mallorca:
Aouate; Cendrós, Chico, Ramis, Cáceres; Martí, Pina, Pereira, Castro (Nsue 79); Victor (Crespí 90), Hemed (Bigas 86)
Goal: Victor (33)
Yellows: Pina (48), Cáceres (57), Chico (84)

Zaragoza:
Roberto; Zuculini (Juan Carlos 81), Lanzaro, Paredes, Da Silva, Abraham; Luis García (Barrera 68), Dujmovic (Oriol 56), Apoño, Lafita; Postiga
Yellows: Abraham (14), Luis García (65), Lanzaro (89)

MALLORCA TODAY - Athletic Bilbao 1 : 0 Real Mallorca

Mallorca, all but assured of staying in the top flight next season, at Bilbao, hunting for a top-six position. A curious set-up to Mallorca with defender Bigas in midfield, Athletic took most of the possession and posed most of the threat in the first half, Llorente heading them into the lead on 12 minutes. It was Bigas, though, who struck a post to come closest for Mallorca in what was otherwise a one-sided period. The introduction of Castro at half-time helped to enliven Mallorca into more goal-bound action, and Hemed's arrival with under ten minutes remaining indicated a willingness to look for an equaliser, but to no avail and Bilbao could have added a second, Toquero hitting the bar into added time.

Athletic:
Iraizoz; Iraola, Martínez, Amorebieta, Aurtenetxe; Iturraspe, Ander (Ekiza 54); Susaeta, De Marcos, Gómez (Gabilondo 77); Llorente (Toquero 71)
Goal: Llorente (12)
Yellow: Ander (49)

Mallorca:
Aouate; Cendrós, Crespí, Ramis, Cáceres (Hemed 82); Pina, Bigas (Tejera 66); Pereira, Alfaro (Castro 45), Nsue; Victor
Yellows: Cáceres (52), Cendrós (76), Pereira (85), Tejera (87)

MALLORCA TODAY - Racing Santander 0 : 3 Real Mallorca

A 3-0 win away at Santander for Mallorca that puts them on 40 points in 12th position in La Liga, twelve clear of Zaragoza in 18th. With six more rounds of matches to go, Mallorca are still theoretically not clear of a chance of relegation but in practice must be. Goals at the start of both periods were evidence of Mallorca's superiority, Nsue netting with less than a minute gone and Castro adding a second a minute after the break. Santander had gone close with a shot against the post from Stuani, but Mallorca went on to add a third, and game over.

Racing:
Sotres; Arana, Bernardo, Torrejón, Osmar (Munitis 54), Christian; Gullón (Colsa 46); Rivero, Bedia (Babacar 65), Luque; Stuani
Yellows: Osmar, Luque, Gullón

Mallorca:
Aouate; Cendrós, Ramis, Nunes (Crespi 63), Cáceres; Tissone (Tejera 67), Pina (Bigas 74); Nsue, Alfaro, Castro; Victor
Yellow: Castro
Goals: Nsue (1), Castro (46), Alfaro (53)

MALLORCA TODAY - Real Mallorca 0 : 0 Granada

Battle of two teams for which a win would all but guarantee top-division status next year, Granada a couple of places and a couple of points below Mallorca in sixteenth slot. In what was a generally defensive game, both teams looking to minimise errors, efforts were still being made on goal, but only Mallorca came genuinely close, Pereira crashing a shot against the bar midway through the second half. Granada were pretty much Mallorca's equals, even perhaps having a slight edge. A chance gone for Mallorca to really remove all relegation fears, but they didn't deserve the three points. 

Mallorca:
Aouate; Cendrós, Ramis, Chico, Cáceres; Tissone, Martí (Tejera 50), Pereira (Nsue 77), Castro; Hemed (Ogunjimi 71), Victor
Yellows: Chico (9), Tejera (62), Pereira (67), Cendrós (70)

Granada:
César; Nyom, Mainz, Gómez, Siqueira; Rico, Moisés; Uche, Martins (Rico 87), Benítez (Jara 80); Ighalo (Abel 69)
Yellow: Moisés (32)

MALLORCA TODAY - Sevilla 3 : 1 Real Mallorca

Though Mallorca appear to be edging to safety, nothing can be taken for granted, especially after last season's collapse that nearly saw the team relegated on the last day. Away at Sevilla in ninth position, three points and four places above Mallorca (eight points above the drop zone), for the final game in La Liga's thirtieth round of matches, it was the home side which totally dominated in the first period but without threatening unduly. But the domination broke out in a sixteen-minute spell into the second half, Sevilla scoring three times. Hemed got one back for Mallorca, but it was barely deserved. A 3-1 win that could have been a wider margin.

Sevilla:
Palop; Coke, Fazio, Escudé, Luna; Medel, Trochowski (Rakitic 73); Navas, del Moral, Reyes (Kanouté 69); Negredo (Deivid 88)
Goals: Negredo (51), del Moral (62), Navas (67)
Yellows: Trochowski (26), Coke (44), Medel (88)

Mallorca:
Aouate; Chico, Nunes, Ramis, Cáceres; Martí, Tissone, Pereira, Castro (Hemed 57); Álvaro (Nsue 45), Victor (Alfaro 71)
Goal: Hemed (73)
Yellows: Martí (19), Álvaro (33)

MALLORCA TODAY - Real Mallorca 0 : 2 Barcelona

Buoyed by back-to-back wins, at least Mallorca were in good form in welcoming Barcelona to the Son Moix. A quiet opening first quarter of the match except for Aouate stopping a Messi shot with his face. And then, on 26 minutes, Alexis headed in a Messi free-kick to give the visitors the lead. Mallorca were hanging in but being outplayed and coach Caparrós did at least show some intent by pulling off a defender for Nsue soon into the second period. Despite Barcelona going down to ten men soon after (Thiago exiting for deliberate handball and a second yellow offence), defender Piqué responded to a Messi shot against the post in adding a second. Respectable performance by Mallorca, but a predictable result.


Mallorca:
Aouate; Chico (Nsue 53), Nunes, Ramis, Cáceres; Tissone (Alfaro 74), Martí, Pereira, Castro; Álvaro (Hemed 53), Victor
Yellow: Ramis (40)

Barcelona:
Valdés; Puyol, Mascherano, Piqué; Thiago, Fábregas (Montoya 59), Busquets, Iniesta; Alexis (Tello 82), Messi, Pedro (Keita 68)
Goals: Alexis (26), Piqué (79)
Red: Thiago (56)
Yellows: Thiago (36), Puyol (88)

MALLORCA TODAY - Sporting Gijón 2 : 3 Real Mallorca

Mallorca, up to thirteenth with 33 points, away at Gijón (on the northern coast of Spain in Asturias), second from bottom in nineteenth position with 24 points. The home team started brightly enough, but it was Mallorca who took the lead just on the half hour through Nunes. Sporting's brightness was not dulled, though, going close and then replying through Colunga but having been inferior to a stronger Mallorca. More or less straight from the kick-off, a second own goal in successive matches in favour of Mallorca restored their lead, but Sporting were never less than sporting and Botía equalised after twenty minutes of the period, only for Mallorca to retaliate once more, thanks to Álvaro. Important win this for Mallorca who are now surely pretty much safe from relegation. Nine rounds of matches to go, including Bilbao and Real Madrid (on the last day) away plus Barcelona at home at the weekend, but otherwise points available, though probably not enough to raise hopes of a Europa League spot.

Sporting:
Pablo; Lora, Botía, Orfila, Canella; Gálvez (Castro 57), Cases; Mendy (Carmelo 72), Trejo (De las Cuevas 54), Colunga; Barral
Goals: Colunga (38), Botía (65)
Yellows: Cases (78), Canella (90)

Mallorca:
Aouate; Cendrós, Chico, Nunes, Cáceres (Bigas 65); Martí, Tissone, Nsue, Alfaro (Pina 72); Victor (Hemed 75), Álvaro
Goals: Nunes (29), Orfila (46 o.g.), Álvaro (76)
Yellows: Tissone (45), Cáceres (64), Cendrós (73), Bigas (90)

MALLORCA TODAY - Real Mallorca 2 : 1 Atlético Madrid

Mallorca in fifteenth spot (30 points) before the home game against Atlético in nineth on 36 points. An unremarkable first half with only one effort each on goal, though Mallorca were making more chances. And then a remarkable start to the second period, Godin putting into his own net to give Mallorca the lead, Pereira making it two a couple of minutes later, Castro being booked for handball, Ramis being sent off for deliberate handball in the area, Pereira getting a yellow for protesting and then Falcao missing the penalty. Falcao made up for his miss, and then it was hands to the pumps time for ten-man Mallorca, Aouate getting his now customary yellow for time-wasting. A suspension for Ramis will be a blow, but these were three hugely valuable points for Mallorca, and coming on top of the draw at Valencia suggest that safety from relegation is getting ever closer. Gijon away mid-week and then the home game against Barcelona on Saturday.

Mallorca:
Aouate; Chico, Nunes, Ramis, Cáceres; Martí, Tejera (Tissone 41), Pereira, Castro (Pina 82); Hemed (Cendrós 55), Victor
Goals: Godin (47 o.g.), Pereira (49)
Yellows: Castro (51), Pereira (53), Aouate (68)
Red: Ramis (52)

Atlético:
Courtois; Juanfran (Mérida 66), Miranda, Godin, Luis; Suárez (Turan 58), Gabi; Salvio, Adrián, Koke; Falcao
Goal: Falcao (65)
Yellow: Gabi (81)

MALLORCA TODAY - Valencia 2 : 2 Real Mallorca

Mallorca on the road at Valencia, third in La Liga, and the initial exchanges showed why there was a fourteen point gap between the two teams at start of play, Valencia coming out all guns blazing against a defensive-looking Mallorca, hitting a post and inevitably taking the lead on 22 minutes through Tino Costa. Valencia in complete control, Aduriz adding a second four minutes before the break. It looked the same again for Valencia in the second period, but Nsue pegged one back out of the blue for Mallorca. Game on, and even more so when Victor equalised nine minutes later. The battering that Valencia were then giving Mallorca turned to frustration when Costa was straight red-carded, and the frustration was complete for Valencia as Mallorca held on to gain an astonishing point.

Valencia:
Guaita; Barragán, Rami, Dealbert, Alba (Platti 74); Parejo, Costa, Feghouli, Jonas (Topal 87); Soldado, Aduriz (Mathieu 64)
Goals: Costa (22), Aduriz (42)
Red: Costa (84)
Yellow: Rami (90+)

Mallorca:
Aouate; Chico, Nunes, Ramis, Cáceres; Martí, Tejera (Alfaro 62); Pereira (Cendrós 85), Álvaro (Castro 88), Nsue; Victor
Goals: Nsue (56), Victor (65)
Yellows: Cáceres (13), Victor (87), Castro (89), Aouate (90+)

MALLORCA TODAY - Real Mallorca 1 : 1 Osasuna

Osasuna, seventh in La Liga, away at Mallorca, fifteenth and four points above the drop zone.

A bright opening by both sides, and things were generally even through the first half. Osasuna's Cejudo was a stand-out player and it was justice that it was he, with a left-foot finish, who put Osasuna into the lead on the stroke of half time. Mallorca pressed towards the middle of the second half, introducing Spain under-21 international Nsue for a defender and the change working, Nsue heading in an equaliser from a Tejera corner. Mallorca went for the win in the last minutes, Ramis going close with a header, but the game ended in a draw.

Mallorca:
Aouate; Chico, Nunes, Ramis, Cáceres (Nsue 68); Tissone (Tejera 45), Martí; Pereira, Alfaro (Hemed 47), Castro; Victor
Goal: Nsue (71)
Yellows: Tissone (34), Chico (78)

Osasuna:
Fernández, Bertrán, Sergio, Flaño, Damiá; Lolo, Loe; Cejudo (Nekounam 89), Garcia, Lamah (Torres 73); Nino (Timor 81)
Goal: Cejudo (45)
Yellows: Damiá (7), Cejudo (65), Timor (90+)

MALLORCA TODAY - Real Sociedad 1 : 0 Real Mallorca

Mallorca away in the Basque Country to the team they put six past in the cup but which they did lose to in the first leg of that tie in San Sebastián.

Sociedad were quicker out of the blocks and in control until midway in the first half when Mallorca began to come into things more, Ramis having the best chance with a header saved by Bravo. A spate of corners gave Mallorca the early ascendancy in the second half, but these didn't lead to anything. Even enough, Sociedad then broke the deadlock after a phase of pressure when Agirretxe put them ahead. Disappointing for Mallorca; a game against a similarly placed team that they would have hoped for a point from.

Sociedad:
Bravo; Estrada, González, Martínez, Cadamuro; Bergara, Aranburu (Pardo 68); Vela (Prieto 79), Zurutuza, Griezmann; Agirretxe (Llorente 82)
Goal: Agirretxe (78)
Yellows: Bergara (58), Llorente (90+)

Mallorca:
Aouate; Crespí, Nunes, Ramis, Cáceres (Ogunjimi 81); Tissone (Pina 70), Martí, Pereira, Castro; Victor, Hemed (Alfaro 57)
Yellows: Tissone (52), Pereira (60), Martí (85), Ramis (90+)

MALLORCA TODAY - Real Mallorca 4 : 0 Villarreal

A first half notable as much for its yellow cards as for its actual football, with Mallorca having the best of the game and taking a deserved lead through a Victor header on 40 minutes. The second period started with Mallorca in the ascendant, the veteran Martí heading in after seven minutes and things just getting better for the home side when Victor added his second with nearly 20 minutes gone and defender Nunes headed a fourth three minutes later. And it was game over and a great win for Mallorca over a declining Villarreal in danger of relegation.

Mallorca:
Aouate; Crespí (Zuiverloon 72), Nunes, Ramis, Cáceres; Tissone (Pina 83), Martí, Pereira, Castro; Victor, Hemed (Alfaro 68)
Goals: Victor (40, 64), Martí (52), Nunes (67)
Yellows: Tissone (31), Nunes (33), Crespí (36), Pina (86)

Villarreal:
López; Mario, Gonzalo, Musacchio, Oriol; Senna (Pérez 81), Bruno; Cani (Castellani 69), Valero, Camuñas (Martinuccio 45): Ruben
Yellows: Senna (15). López (39)

MALLORCA TODAY - Málaga 3 : 1 Real Mallorca

Mallorca away at Málaga, a side not doing as well as its spending might have suggested it would, and the non-spending visitors sprung a surprise after just three minutes, Pereira firing in a direct free-kick after a foul on Hemed. The lead was shortlived, Fernández responding eight minutes later. Plenty of goal attempts, but 1-1 at the break. From a corner, Toulalan with his right foot put Málaga ahead after nine minutes of the second period. Málaga were dominating when Róndón added a third, and the home side continued to hold the upper hand in running out 3-1 winners.

Málaga:
Caballero; Sánchez, Weligton, Mathijsen, Monreal; Recio (Maresca 71), Toulalan, Cazorla (Eliseu 71), Isco; Fernández, Rondón (Van Nistelrooy 81)
Goals: Fernández (11), Toulalan (54), Rondón (69)
Yellows: Recio (38), Weligton (86)

Mallorca:
Aouate; Crespí, Chico, Nunes, Cáceres (Alfaro 75); Pina, Tissone, Pereira (Nsue 59), Castro; Hemed, Álvaro (Ogunjimi 59)
Goal: Pereira (3)
Yellows: Chico (74), Alfaro (81)

MALLORCA TODAY - Real Mallorca 1 : 0 Real Betis

Clash of two lower mid-table teams at a freezing Iberostar stadium. Early efforts on goal by Mallorca were rewarded when a foul by Mario led to a direct free-kick from which Castro netted. Mallorca maintained dominance into the second period, Ramis having a header from a corner saved on 61 minutes and Ogunjimi coming on for Hemed to try to give more edge up-front. Betis defender Mario saw red for a second yellow offence with quarter of an hour left, and then so did Mallorca's Ramis. And to cap it all, a totally unnecessary lack of discipline by Victor saw him red-carded as well for a foul and then dissent. Assertive performance by Mallorca but they should have made it easier for themselves. A valuable three points.

Mallorca:
Calatayud; Cendrós (Nunes 68), Chico, Ramis, Cáceres; Pina (Joao Victor 84), Martí, Pereira, Castro; Victor, Hemed (Ogunjimi 62)
Goal: Castro (23)
Yellows: Ramis (58), Martí (65), Cáceres (80), Victor (90+)
Reds: Ramis (85 - second yellow), Victor (90+ - second yellow)

Betis:
Casto; Chica (Montero 45), Mario, Paulao, Martínez; Iriney (Beñat 53), Cañas, Juanma, Pozuelo (Salva Sevilla 78); Santa Cruz, Castro
Yellows: Mario (22), Castro (50)
Red: Mario (74 - second yellow)

MALLORCA TODAY - Espanyol 1 : 0 Real Mallorca

Mallorca away at Espanyol who were fifth in La Liga before the match, though only six points ahead of Mallorca in fourteenth spot (on 22 points). Things were even enough until the Slovak Vladimir Weiss, once of Manchester City, shot Espanyol ahead. Immediately after half-time, Mallorca having made two changes in the break, goalkeeper Aouate received a red card for a questionable foul on Rui Fonte. Weiss hit the post as soon as Calatayud had come into goal from the free kick resulting from the Aouate incident, and the game got a bit feisty. A man down, Mallorca strove for an equaliser but ended up feeling unlucky and rather harshly done by after a creditable performance from which they deserved to get something.


Espanyol:
Casilla; Galán, Rodríguez, Moreno, Didac; Forlin (Gómez), Baena; Weiss, Verdú, Romaric (López 84); Rui Fonte (Thievy 55)
Goal: Weiss (18)
Yellows: Forlin (51), Moreno (58), Baena (76), Thievy (80)

Mallorca:
Aouate; Cendrós, Chico, Ramis, Cáceres; Joao Victor (Pina 45), Martí; Pereira (Ogunjimi 45), Alfaro (Calatayud 49), Castro; Victor

Yellows: Cendrós (45), Chico (87)
Red: Aouate (46)

MALLORCA TODAY - Rayo Vallecano 0 : 1 Real Mallorca

Mallorca away in Madrid at Rayo, a team in a similar position in the league, i.e. towards the bottom. An even first-half, Mallorca, both teams creating opportunities, Ogunjimi showing encouraging signs with a couple of good headers on goal. Ramis, who had an effort with his right foot in the first period, put Mallorca in the lead with a header ten minutes after the break. Rayo, bringing on Perea, for the last ten minutes, looked to force an equaliser, but Mallorca were also still making chances, but there was no addition to the Ramis decider, so three valuable points for Mallorca.

Rayo:
Dani; Tito, Arribas, Labaka (Perea 80), Casado; Fuego, Movilla (Delibasic 66); Piti (Rayco 72), Michu, Trashorras; Tamudo

Yellow: Trashorras (72)

Mallorca:
Aouate; Chico, Nunes, Ramis, Cáceres; Martí (Pina 54), Tissone, Pereira, Castro (Nsue 81); Victor, Ogunjimi (Alfaro 65)
Goal: Ramis (56)
Yellows: Martí (30), Tissone, Chico (77)