Real Mallorca 2-0 Málaga
Real Mallorca secured a valuable three points in a 2-0 win against La Liga strugglers Málaga. Second half goals from Pierre Webó and Gonzalo Castro sealed the win.
Laudrup, reverting back to his home 4-4-2 formation, sprung surprises in his selection as young full backs Pau Cendrós and Kevin García were given the nod over first choice fullbacks Ratinho and Ayoze. He also named Castro in the starting lineup despite the Uruguayan originally being ruled out. He also confirmed the Nsue rumour, that the inform Spaniard would revert back to his natural strkers role instead of his inherited right wing role to help give the Mallorca attack some life. Webó started over summer signing Fernando Cavenaghi.
The first real chance fell to Málaga when Webó was beaten to a header from a prior corner that hit Aouate’s post before the Cameroonian scrambled the ball away. Gonzalo Castro had the home sides best chance of the half as his shot was turned behind by Ruben.
But it only took a few minutes of the second half for Mallorca to take the lead. A fantastic Castro through ball saw Pierre Webó through on goal, who coolly took his chance to make it 1-0. And Michael Pereira helped the provider turn goalscorer when his through ball saw Castro take the ball round Ruben and comfortably slot home to seal the home win.
Mallorca were made to sweat however, before the game was out. Pau Cendrós once again showed his inexperience. His outstretched leg saw his opponent find an excuse to fall to the ground as if he had been tripped and Málaga were awarded a penalty. But Dudu Aouate saved the resulting penalty, and later claimed goalkeeping coach José León told him if there was a penalty, it will ‘go to [his] left’.
Los Bermellones’ good form has earned them a lift into sixth and, thus, the European places. Málaga, meanwhile, remain in eighteenth.
Teams
Real Mallorca (4-4-2): Aouate; Cendrós, Ramis, Nunes (c), Kevin; Pereira, Martí, de Guzmán, Castro (Tejera 75); Nsue (Joao Víctor 68), Webó (Cavenaghi 79).
Goalscorers: Webó 49; Castro 53.
Málaga (4-4-2): Ruben (c), Jesus Gámez, Weligton, Manu Torres, Ivan González (Fernando 62); Sebas Fernández (Owusu Abeyie 73), Kris, Duda (Portillo 62), Eliseu, Rondón, Recio.