FC Groningen 2-2 Real Mallorca
In the final preseason game in the Netherlands, another Chico mistake cost Real Mallorca who threw away a 2-1 lead with minutes to go against their strongest opponents so far. But the match was by far overshadowed by the injury of Michael Pereira, who was reported as saying after the match that he was ‘crying in pain’.
FC Groningen were chosen as the ‘final test’ in the preseason camp in the Netherlands as they are the strongest of the five opponents. They finished fifth in the Dutch top flight last season.
Laudrup named his strongest XI giving an insight into his thoughts ahead of the season. Once again, Toni Fons was named in goal in the absence of Aouate, Calatayud and Yeray. Whilst Zuiverloon and Cáceres were given the nod over Cendrós and Kevin. Tejera and Pereira were given their chances on the wing whilst Emilio Nsue played up front once more, partner this time by Tomer Hemed.
It took just four minutes for Emilio Nsue to reassure Laudrup why he deserves to start up front. A fantastic ball over the top from Sergio Tejera found Nsue who looped the ball over the goalkeeper to give Los Bermellones the lead.
He was then unfortunate not to make it two, but snatched at his left footed chance meaning an easy stop for van Loo.
Mallorca’s goalkeeping problems were highlighted again as Toni Fons conceded another suspect goal. A simple free-kick was dropped by the young Spaniard and fell perfectly for a striker to play the ball across goal and for Bacuna to turn it in.
Into the second half, Mallorca could’ve taken the lead again after good work from Hemed, but Nsue just couldn’t turn the ball in.
But then the real bad news for Mallorca came. An appalling challenge by Pedersen on Pereira sent the Frenchman flying. Astonishingly, the referee only gave a yellow card for a tackle well deserving of a red even in a friendly. Pereira was withdrawn in agony, leaving Mallorca coaches fearful of his fitness ahead of the new season.
More clown-goalkeeping almost gave Groningen another goal before Toni finally managed to scramble the ball to safety.
But then Víctor Casadesús had thought he’d won it for Mallorca on the 75th minute after fantastic link up play. Jonathan de Guzmán, on the edge of the area, laid it off for an overlapping Gianni Zuiverloon. His pull back found Víctor with the goal gaping, and the Spaniard side-footed home to make it 2-1.
It just wasn’t to be for Mallorca though, as Chico continued his nightmare start in a Mallorca shirt. Laudrup will be concerned that another simple cross caused so many problems in the Mallorca area as Chico attempted a diving head to clear a ball fit for a volleyed clearance. He fell into the ball which hit his hand and the referee pointed to the spot.
Eneldvodsen put the penalty to the goalkeeper’s left, with Toni going to his right. Equaliser with six minutes to go.
The result will not concern Laudrup too much. It wasn’t ideal, but one has to say that with Aouate in goal atleast the first goal wouldn’t have been conceded. There is no doubt that Pereira’s knee injury is what will be sitting on the Danish coach’s mind as he and his team fly back to Palma on Monday morning.
Teams
FC Groningen: Van Loo, Kieftenbeld, Ivens, Kwakman, Holla, Bacuna, Tadic, Matavz, Pedersen, Burnet, Hiariej.
Goals: Bacuna 14; Eneldvodsen 84 pen.
Real Mallorca (4-4-2): Toni; Zuiverloon, Nunes, Ramis, Cáceres; Tejera, Martí, de Guzmán, Pereira; Nsue, Hemed.
Substitutions: Kevin, Chico, Víctor, Cendrós, Pina.
Goal: Nsue 4; Víctor 75.
Referee: Makkelie (NED)
Stadium: Rolde training facilities, Drenthe, Netherlands.
Attendance: 2,500
To watch highlights via IB3, click here.