Real Mallorca 0-1 Málaga CF

Pressure on Michael Laudrup grew further after his side suffered a disappointing 1-0 defeat to Manuel Pellegrini’s Málaga side. The away side were a shadow of their former selves and despite having several new players in the starting lineup, they were strong enough to see out the result.

Pre-game, the main question for Mallorca was whether Laudrup would stick with new central defender Chico after he was widely criticised for his performance against Real Betis the week earlier. The Dane stuck with the Spaniard, but he did opt to get new signing Fernando Tissone his first start with Tomás Pina in a defensive midfield position with João Victor losing his place.

Mallorca had a chance early on when Emilio Nsue played the ball into Alejandro Alfaro, but the Spaniard’s shot was so poor it dribbled inches away from the corner flag.

Ruud van Nistelrooy went much closer with his effort. Defying the years, he got in behind the Mallorca defence and his strike beat Aouate but struck the upright. Júlio Baptista also had a fantastic chance when, completely unmarked from a corner, he buried his volley into the ground and over the bar.

Chico was then very fortunate not to give away a penalty as he appeared to bring down van Nistelrooy when the Dutchman was through in on goal.

The game wasn’t all Málaga, however. A through ball saw Emilio Nsue race down the left wing. The young Spaniard lacked composure and sent in a cross too early before Alfaro or Hemed could arrive in the area. Caballero happily claimed possession with an easy catch.

Despite being caught in no man’s land with a dinked cross going right over his head, Dudu Aouate managed to pull off a good save from a Santi Cazorla volley.

He could do nothing about the goal, however. A Santi Cazorla free-kick saw central defender Martín Demichelis unmarked and unchallenged, who flicked the ball on. Left back Pablo Cáceres attempted to block but couldn’t get clean contact sending the ball past a wrong footed Dudu Aouate. Poor defending from set pieces once more from Mallorca.

In the closing stages of the half Emilio Nsue wanted a penalty for what he felt was a foul on him by Martín Demichelis. Replays suggest contact was minimal though. This didn’t stop Iván Ramis remonstrating with the referee at half time.

In an attempt to breathe life into the Mallorca side, Laudrup replaced a poor Alejandro Alfaro with Aki Ienaga. He made an instant impact with a run to the touchline. His cross was met by the head of Tomer Hemed who just couldn’t steer it under the bar.

Mallorca had another fantastic opening but two mistakes saw the chance slip away. Nsue played a one-two with substitute Víctor Casadesús, but Víctor’s return pass was far too strong. Nsue managed to get to the ball just before the goalkeeper taking it round him, but taking it very wide. He managed to whip in a cross with Víctor winning the header. The ball fell perfectly for Tomás Pina to take a touch and volley. His poor touch, however, took it out of his control and the ball was cleared.

Emilio Nsue then had another chance from twelve yards, but his under pressure left footed strike went wide.

With a final throw of the dice, Michael Pereira came on for the final twenty minutes in place of Sergio Tejera. There was no magic tricks the Frenchman could produce, however, and only two fantastic saves from Dudu Aouate kept the score at a respectable level.

The game was a tricky one for both sides and Pellegrini will be happy to come away with all three points. More concerning for Mallorca is the only player who seems able to create chances is Emilio Nsue who is really lacking the final product. Laudrup doesn’t seem to have the answers.

Teams

Real Mallorca (4-2-3-1): Aouate; Zuiverloon, Ramis, Chico , Cáceres ; Pina, Tissone; Alfaro (Aki 45), Tejera (Pereira 70), Nsue; Hemed (Víctor 56).
Substitutes: Calatayud (gk); Kevin, Martí Crespí, João Victor, Pereira, Aki; Víctor.

Málaga CF (4-2-3-1): Caballero; Gámez, Demichelis, Mathijsen, Eliseu; Toulalan , Duda (Seba Fernández 80); Joaquín, Júlio Baptista (Maresca 65), Cazorla; van Nistelrooy (Rondón 70).
Substitutes: Pol (gk); Sanchez, Monreal; Maresca, Buonanotte; Seba Fernández, Rondón.
Goal: Cáceres 39 og.

Referee: Miguel Ángel Pérez Lasa (ESP)
Stadium: Iberostar Estadi, Palma de Mallorca
Attendance: 13,040

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