MALLORCA TODAY - Real Mallorca 1 : 1 Atlético Madrid

The Christmas break finished, the off-field board disruption ongoing, time for the Mallorca team to get back on the field, hosting second-placed Atlético. In the first half, the visitors were all over Mallorca, without really creating too many threatening opportunities. The dominance continued into the second half, the woodwork intervening before García, who had hit the bar, finally scored for Atlético. The game apparently sealed up, Mallorca stunned Atlético when Kevin scored with four minutes to go after a Nunes header had caused panic in the Atlético defence. Dos Santos then saw a direct free kick hit a post. Had it gone in, it would have given Mallorca an astonishing win. As it is, the draw was pretty astonishing. Up against it for the most of the game, an encouraging point for struggling Mallorca.

Mallorca:
Aouate; Nsue (Álvaro 79), Nunes, Geromel, Bigas; Pina, Márquez; Pereira (Kevin 63), Dos Santos, Arizmendi (Ximo 74); Hemed
Goal: Kevin (86)
Yellow: Nunes (77)

Atlético:
Courtois; Juanfran, Diáz, Godin, Luis; Tiago, Gabi; Koke, García, Adrián (Rodríguez 64); Costa
Goal: García (72)
Yellows: García (19), Tiago (30), Costa (89)

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 - Real Mallorca stay up

Astonishingly, Real Mallorca were very nearly relegated. Losing 4-3 at home to Atlético Madrid didn't help and nor did other results, except for Deportivo La Coruña (remember them from Champions League days) who also lost at home and were thus condemned to the drop.

The team have been poor and they just got worse towards the end of the season, with some terrible results, such as the loss at bottom club Almeria. Coach Michael Laudrup may stay, but there are plenty of rumours suggesting he won't, and in truth, why would he? The club's got no money and it's not going anywhere.

Real Mallorca:
Aouate; Cendrós (sub. Joao Victor, 46 min.), Nunes, Ramis, Ayoze; Nsue (sub. Victor, 71 min.), Martí, De Guzmán, Tejera (sub. Castro, 53 min.), Pereira; Webó
Goals: Nsue (62 min., penalty); Webó (70 min., 90 min.)


Atlético Madrid:
De Gea; Valera, Ujfalusi, Pulido, Filipe Luis (sub. Raúl García, sub. 82 min.); Juanfran, Mario Suárez (sub. Assuncao, 67 min.), Thiago, Koke; Reyes, Agüero (sub. Elías, 84 min.)
Goals: Agüero (12 min., 59 min., 80 min.); Juanfran (17 min.)