Real Mallorca 1-2 Sporting Gijón

Real Mallorca suffered a second half break down which resulted in a 2-1 loss to Sporting Gijón at the Iberostar Estadi. Los Bermellones had started the game at a lightning pace which paid off with an early Chori Castro goal. But that speed soon dropped off as Sporting became more comfortable. Then, with an equaliser just four minutes into the second half, the home side were stunned as Sporting went for all three points. Something attained when makeshift centre back João Victor turned the ball into his own goal.

Joaquín Caparrós had a headache before the game with 5 defenders missing. Chico, through suspension, joined Zuiverloon, Nunes, Cáceres and Kevin on the sidelines. He was boosted with the returns of Pep Martí and Víctor Casadesús, although neither made the starting lineup.

Caparrós decided to go with João Victor in central defence, alongside Iván Ramis, despite the availability of Martí Crespí. After impressive form, Fernando Tissone continued in central midfield with the less convincing Tomás Pina. Michael Pereira and Chori Castro lined up on the wings with Emilio Nsue partnering Tomer Hemed up front.

It seemed to pay off. Mallorca came out swinging missing three or four good chances, with the best falling to Emilio Nsue with just three minutes on the clock. A free-kick was flicked on by the Spaniard but it rolled just wide of the goalkeeper’s far post.

The fast pace paid off, however, when Michael Pereira bursting down the right wing chipped the ball over the defence for Chori Castro to meet at the far post to head Mallorca 1-0 up on 16 minutes.

The attacking didn’t stop there with the home side creating several more chances, but failing to convert them. Sporting were awash and couldn’t get to grips with the game.

The pace started to die off in the final 10 minutes of the half and Sporting were allowed more and more time on the ball. They then started to create a couple of chances, with the best coming from a free kick on the edge of the area. Fortunately for Mallorca, Aouate pulled off a superb save low to his left hand side.

The half ended in sour fashion when André Castro tumbled after battling with Fernando Tissone for the ball claiming he had been elbowed in the face. The referee saw nothing of it and allowed play to continue but Tissone decided to kick the ball out. Castro was quickly to his feet needing no treatment and no signs of any injury, but from the resulting throw in the Sporting attacker attempted to lob Aouate and score rather than pass the ball back to him.

Aouate and Ramis both reacted furiously with the latter making it very clear what he thought of the situation, earning himself a needless yellow card in the process.

Caparrós would’ve been happy his side managed to retain their lead at the end of the first half, giving him opportunity to get his side to regroup. There was no mistaking they were hanging on at the end of the first half.

He failed in his attempts, however, and Sporting started the second half strongest. And it didn’t take long for them to equalise.

With just four minutes on the clock, Pedro Bigas was easily beaten down the Mallorca left and the resulting cross saw Bilic beat both Pau Cendrós and João Victor to the header at the back post. It was an easy conversion for Mate Bilic.

Mallorca didn’t learn from their mistakes and before too long they were 2-1 down. Bigas once again was beaten down the Mallorca left and the resulting cross saw João Victor stretch out, under no challenge, and turn the ball past Aouate into his own goal.

Caparrós’ team had no response with the man himself looking shocked and dejected on the touchline. The home side didn’t quite crash and burn as they have done over the past 18 months and continued to create chances, but they once again had a worrying lack of ability in front of goal. Tomás Pina’s dragged left footed shot on the edge of the area hitting the post was the closest Los Bermellones got to an equaliser.

Whilst eyebrows will be raised at the manner of the defeat, especially considering the selections of Pedro Bigas and João Victor, Caparrós will be encouraged by his team’s opening display. They looked a genuine threat and once their confidence in front of goal grows these results will come more easily. The question in the short term is surely there is a better solution than Pedro Bigas at left back and João Victor at centre back with the Brazilian looking uncomfortable there for the whole game.

Teams

Real Mallorca (4-4-2): Aouate; Cendrós , Ramis , João Victor, Bigas; Pereira (Víctor  69), Tissone (Tejera  67), Pina , Castro; Hemed, Nsue (Alfaro  76).
Substitutes: Calatayud (gk); Martí Crespí; Martí, Tejera, Alfaro; Víctor, Álvaro.
Goal: Castro 16.

Sporting Gijón (4-2-3-1): Juan Pablo; Lora (Suárez 78), Botía, Hernández , Canella; Rivera, Cases; Trejo, Castro , de las Cuevas  (Eguren  82); Barral (Bilic 45).
Substitutes: Cuéllar (gk); Gregory, Suárez; Álvarez, Morán, Eguren; Bilic.
Goals: Bilic 49; João Victor 64 og.

Referee: Carlos del Cerro Grande (ESP).
Stadium: Iberostar Estadi, Palma de Mallorca.
Attendance: 9,433.