Real Mallorca 0-1 Napoli

A fragile Real Mallorca were overturned by a single Napoli goal to nil in the 2011 Trofeu Ciutat de Palma. But the main news of the night came before the presentation, when Jonathan de Guzmán was a part of that presentation and was then named in the starting XI despite Mallorca Diario claiming he is about to complete a move and would not be involved.

Mallorca Head Coach Michael Laudrup left winger Chori Castro out of the starting eleven, instead preferring to hand a debut to new signing from Sevilla Alejandro Alfaro. Tomer Hemed started up front. Chico, Calatayud and Pereira were all missing through injury.

Napoli started the stronger of the two sides, overpowering the home team. They had several chances to take the lead early on, and converted one after just 14 minutes. A good move worked down the Napoli left flank saw a headed goal by right wing back Zúñiga.

Laudrup could see his team struggling and tried a change of tactics, but to no avail. Napoli were well structured with a more creative team. And they should’ve been 2-0 up on 35 minutes, but Dudu Aouate denied Lucarelli who had a glorious opportunity one-on-one.

In the closing stages of the first half, Sergio Tejera had the best opportunity to equalise but spurned the chance. Pep Martí and Jonathan de Guzmán also had unsuccessful efforts on goal.

Mallorca improved their performance in the second half, but still failed to make any real impact on the game. Only a chance from Emilio Nsue on the hour mark looked as if it could test Rosati. But his miss meant that Napoli will be taking the trophy back to Italy.

Laudrup’s Mallorca were criticised by several media outlets for ‘starting this season just as they had finished the last’. Despite progression being made in preseason, the team don’t yet look ready to start the season. Laudrup himself, however, remained defiant. After the game, he said, ‘I saw more positives than negatives. I liked the last fifteen minutes of the first half and second. We created seven or eight chances. But Napoli is a creative team with a formation that you don’t see in Spain.’

He went on to say, ‘four of the eleven were new and have played well. I’ll take the last 60 minutes. We were good physically and didn’t tire before 90 minutes, so that’s good.’

Teams

Real Mallorca (4-2-3-1): Aouate; Zuiverloon, Nunes (Martí Crespí 45), Ramis, Cáceres; Martí  (Pina 65), Tejera (Castro  56); Nsue, de Guzmán, Alfaro; Hemed.

Napoli (5-3-2): Rosati ; Zúñiga (Jacopo 81), Víctor Ruiz, Campagnaro (Fernández 65), Aronica, Dossena; Santana (Mazzio 66), Dzemaili (Inler 52), Donadel ; Mascara, Lucarelli .
Goal: Zúñiga 14.

Referee: Pedro Surena Cuenca (ESP)
Stadium: Iberostar Estadi, Palma de Mallorca
Attendance: 10,000.