Mallorca again fail to score in Sevilla draw

Real Mallorca earned a point at home against fifth-placed Sevilla, but raised eyebrows once more with their inability in front of goal as their ‘games without a win’ tally rose to six.

With both Fréderic Kanouté and Álvaro Negredo missing for the away side, Joaquín Caparrós was expected to name a more attacking side to take advantage of Sevilla’s weakened front line. In the end, Hemed continued in his lone role up front with Nsue, Alfaro and Castro in the supporting roles behind him.

For Sevilla, del Moral was charged with providing the firepower with Jesús Navas in support. Also in the lineup was former Real Mallorca defender Fernando Navarro.

An early Alfaro cross saw a statement of intent from Mallorca with Hemed, despite reaching the ball, was unable to steer it anywhere other than over the bar from six yards. But the main talking point of the opening exchanges was the Sevilla penalty claim.

Lone striker Manu del Moral had beaten Mallorca’s last man, Pau Cendrós, on the left wing. But realising that he was inside the area as Cendrós fell over, he too followed suit in a desperate attempt to con the referee. Teixeira, however, was not in agreement and waived play on as Aouate collected the ball.

With the weather fast deteriorating in a soaking wet Palma, the best chance of the half fell to Emilio Nsue who launched a good effort from long range only for Varas to turn the ball round the post.

In the second half, Chori Castro missed two gilt edged opportunities with the second seeing goalkeeper Varas in no man’s land. The Uruguayan failed to make proper contact with the ball, however, and his off target shot was blocked by a defender.

Alejandro Alfaro created a wonderful opportunity for himself when his fantastic control from a cross took him through on goal. The Spaniard failed to hold his nerve though and his left-footed half-volley flew over the bar.

The cause for concern for Mallorca very much lies with the fact they have only scored four goals from open play all season, with two of those coming in the 2-1 win over Real Sociedad and the third being scored by Jonathan de Guzmán who is no longer a Mallorca player. Chori Castro scored the fourth goal in the 2-1 Sporting Gijón defeat 10 days ago. Every other goal has come from the penalty spot.

Joaquín Caparrós commented, ‘I am not happy with this result. However, [in terms of the performance] this is the line to follow.’ Something that Marca agreed with saying that both defences played well and the Mallorca attack, bar the final product, was ‘very good’ too. They too raised their concerns about Mallorca’s lack of goals.

Sevilla’s attack, on the other hand, left alot to be desired as they had ‘no spark in attack’. Rakitic and Trochowski, who were both substituted, ‘must deliver more than what they showed in Palma’.

Head Coach Marcelino had no complaints about the results either saying, ‘we did very little to get the three points’.

Teams

Real Mallorca (4-2-3-1): Aouate; Cendrós, Ramis, Chico, Bigas ; Pina , Tissone; Nsue, Alfaro (Álvaro 86), Castro (Tejera 76); Hemed (Víctor 79).
Subsitutes: Calatayud (gk); Zuiverloon; João Victor, Pereira, Tejera; Víctor, Álvaro.

Sevilla (4-2-3-1): Varas; Cáceres, Spanic , Escudé, Navarro; Medel (Fazio 76), Rakitic (Campaña 60); Navas, Trochowski (Alberto 66), Armenteros; del Moral.
Substitutes: Palop (gk); Alexis, Coke, Fazio; Alberto, Campaña; Hiroshi.

Referee: Fernando Teixeira Vitienes (ESP)
Stadium: Iberostar Estadi, Palma de Mallorca
Attendance: 11,933

You can see highlights of the game thanks to IB3.