Solid Mallorca see out entertaining Athletic Club draw

A solid performance from Real Mallorca saw them take a respectable point from their game with Athletic Club de Bilbao. In a lively game, there were fantastic chances for both teams as the game hung in the balance throughout. In the end, it was to be a point which neither will complain about – other than the deluge of yellow cards distributed by referee César Muñiz Fernández.

Joaquín Caparrós was looking to capitalise upon his first victory as Real Mallorca boss with a second successive victory away at this former club, Athletic Club.

Caparrós had surprisingly opted for a more open 4-4-2 formation with young striker Álvaro chosen ahead of summer signing Tomer Hemed. José Nunes has been deemed as unfit but Pablo Cáceres has been brought into the starting XI after recovering from injury. Nunes’ absence meant Chico continued at centre back with Iván Ramis.

After his complaints about not being given a fair try, Michael Pereira was given his opportunity on the right wing with Emilio Nsue on the left. And duo Tomás Pina and Fernando Tissone also started ahead of veteran Pep Martí.

Players and fans were waiting for a complicated and slow match hard to take hold of, but it wasn’t so. Quite the opposite, Mallorca gave it all since the first moment and, almost at the second minute, Pau Cendrós started a move from the right side which seemed to succeed thanks to Víctor and Nsue, although, Amorebieta cleared the ball in Atletic’s area and took hold of it. Álvaro then shot the ball and scored his first goal in the Spanish Premier League (1-0).

Without much effort, Mallorca got a favourable result which seemed to be followed by more goals. Athletic learned the lesson and woke up. Their defence gradually got tighter, so it was more difficult for the home side to go through their area. Defence was well organised, in fact the only move that could have been dangerous was made by Toquero close to the 30^th minute, which then was fairly disallowed.

When it seemed that the break was close without any possible fright, since the match was quite slow, Athletic took a free kick which was cleared by Mallorca. Even if the 2 minutes extra-time got over, the referee, Muñiz Fernández, let the match continue. The Basques made a dangerous move on the right side and Amorebieta managed to head the cross from Ander Herrera into the net (1-1).

After Athletic’s goal, the second half started with a more active home side. Mallorca went forward and caught the rival team unaware with a fine one-two between Tissone and Víctor, which could have been a goal but was then cleared by a well-positioned Iraizoz.

Caparrós started to replace Pina with Martí, later Nsue with Aki and finally Hemed with Álvaro, trying to find the best option for a goal. Mallorca seemed aggressive in three clear occasions. The first one by Pereira from the front area and the other by Hemed. Athletic didn’t take anything for granted and attacked several times Aouate’s goal. Cáceres made one more save and the Israeli goalkeeper did really well in the final minutes in order to keep the point.

Teams

Real Mallorca (4-4-2): Aouate; Cendrós, Ramis , Chico , Cáceres ; Nsue (Aki 74′), Tissone , Pina (Martí 54′), Pereira; Víctor, Álvaro (Hemed 80′).
Substitutes: Calatayud (gk); Zuiverloon, Nunes; Aki, Martí, Tejera; Hemed.
Goal: Álvaro 3′.

Athletic Club (4-2-3-1): Iraizoz; Iraola, Javi Martínez, Amorebieta , Aurtenetxe (Gabilondo 45′); Iturraspe (Iñigo Pérez 53′), Ander; Susaeta, Muniain, de Marcos; Toquero .
Substitutes: Raúl (gk); San José, Ekiza; David López, Gabilondo, Iñigo Pérez, Ibai Gómez.
Goal: Amorebieta 45′ (+2′).

Referee: César Muñiz Fernández (ESP)
Stadium: Iberostar Estadi, Palma de Mallorca
Attendance: 12,836

As it happened

93 mins: FULL TIME. A solid performance from Mallorca and a respectable point against Athletic Club. The game could’ve gone either way in the final minutes, however. They have Chico to thank that they have anything from this game.

92 mins: Muñiz Fernández now books a substitute! He pulls second choice Athletic goalkeeper Raúl from the bench to show him the yellow for dissent.

91 mins: Huy! And then Aouate turns a cross from under the bar! The first chance was a header from a corner. Aouate was beaten but Chico managed to get back and clear the ball off the line.

90 mins: OFF THE LINE! Mallorca escape!

88 mins: Now there is a rarity. Two poor touches in a row from on loan midfielder Fernando Tissone. Then Hemed nearly won it with a strike from the edge of the 18-yard area. Unlucky, Tomer.

86 mins: Toquero goes into the referee’s notebook too. He’s not been shy of showing them today, Sr. Muñiz Fernández.

83 mins: Seven. Hemed booked now. Meanwhile, Gabilondo cuts to the byline on the left. His pull back goes under Aouate but the ball is cleared. Mallorca escape.

82 mins: Fernando Tissone is the heart of another Mallorca move as he plays in Michael Pereira. The Frenchman cuts inside but his left footed strike is well turned away from Iraizoz. Straight down the other end, a Toquero cross on the counter is cut out by Aouate.

80 mins: REAL MALLORCA SUBSTITUTION. Our prediction was wrong. Tomer Hemed comes on in place of Álvaro. Caparrós attempting to sniff out the win.

79 mins: A sixth yellow card of the game for Mallorca as Chico concedes a free-kick on the edge of the area. Athletic have two strikes, both hitting the wall. The result? Álvaro on the floor again.

78 mins: Aki looks very rusty. A couple of very poor touches from the winger.

76 mins: Can we predict Caparrós’ final change? With Cácares starting to tire and Nunes needing match fitness, will Nunes partner Ramis in central defence and Chico out to left back?

74 mins: REAL MALLORCA SUBSITUTION. Correct decision by Caparrós as the ineffective Emilio Nsue is replaced by Japanese winger Aki Ienaga.

73 mins: Tissone has been fantastic today as he wins back a ball lost by Michael Pereira.

71 mins: ANOTHER yellow card. This time for Iñigo Pérez himself. He slides in with a high challenge on Álvaro. Rightly punished by the referee, Muñiz Fernández.

68 mins: Pablo Cáceres’ lack of fitness is shown up by Iñigo Pérez as he is robbed on the half-way line. He tries to make up for it but can only foul Pérez. He stays on the floor in hope of pity from the referee, but it wasn’t forthcoming. Yellow card for the left back.

67 mins: Pep Martí bundles Iker Muniain over. It’s a yellow card for the veteran. Resulting free-kick sees a header from Muniain loop agonisingly over Aouate but onto the roof of the goal.

64 mins: It surely won’t be long before Caparrós introduces one of Hemed, Tejera or Aki. Bets would be on Tejera, although it could do with Aki’s spark.

56 mins: Iván Ramis is booked for a foul on Toquero.

54 mins: REAL MALLORCA SUBSTITUTION. Pep Martí on for Tomás Pina.

53 mins: ATHLETIC CLUB SUBSTITUTION. Iñigo Pérez comes on for Iturraspe

52 mins: Mallorca start to counter but Álvaro’s ball to Cácares is sloppy and is far to fast for the Uruguayan to latch onto.

50 mins: Another strong challenge on Tomás Pina, who has spent the opening stages of the second half in the wars.

48 mins: Mallorca nearly back in front. Fernando Tissone charges from midfield and plays a one-two with Álvaro. He could only poke the ball at Iraizoz when one-on-one however. From the next phase of the attack, Nsue charges down the left but pushes the ball out of play. Sloppy. Another largely ineffectual performance from Nsue.

45 mins: Athletic Club get us underway in the second half. Gabilondo comes on for Aurtenetxe for Athetic Club.

48 mins: HALF TIME.

47 mins: GOAL TO ATHLETIC CLUB. And it is an awful goal to concede at the break. The free-kick is wasted but a follow up cross from the left wing sees a poor jump from Pablo Cáceres at the back post exploited by Amorebieta who easily climbs above him to head home. 1-1. It has been coming. But Caparrós will be sick to concede a goal like that at a time like that.

46 mins: Yellow card for Fernando Tissone. Free kick to Athletic.

45 mins: Into stoppage time here. Three minutes to be played.

40 mins: He’s immediately back to the ground with a theatrical tumble roll. Yellow card for Amorebieta.

39 mins: Álvaro has spent more time horizontal rather than vertical in this game. Come on lad. Stay on your feet.

37 mins: Athletic start to turn the screw as Nsue gives away a needless free-kick. More frustration than anything. Mallorca can’t get anywhere near Bielsa’s side.

32 mins: Toquero is trying out some moves he learned in his local amateur dramatics club. With his original rolling on the floor not receiving any attention, he stands up and threatens to faint. When he has an audience of three, he falls to the floor for the physio to come on and issue the magic sponge.

29 mins: Yellow card for Tomás Pina.

26 mins: Huyyyy! Athletic have a goal ruled offside! Rightly so too. A cross from the right saw Toquero head home, but he was beyond the last defender.

19 mins: Mallorca attempt to punish Athletic Club on the counter. Michael Pereira races down the right wing again and cuts the ball back for Víctor. The Spaniard is surrounded by defenders but somehow finds himself some room. His shot is blocked, however, and Mallorca can do nothing with the rebound.

17 mins: Athletic Club have started to settle now as Tissone gives Iker Muniain a bash. The away side’s build up play is nice but they are lacking the final ball. Dudu Aouate has not really been worked yet.

14 mins: Promising attack from Athletic Club down the left wing but the cross is way over hit and the pressure is released.

10 mins: Unconvincing from Iraizoz. He flaps at a cross but gets enough on it to palm it out of dangers.

08 mins: A piercing ball from deep by Fernando Tissone allows Michael Pereira to burst down the right wing. His attempted cross is blocked, however. The first two resulting corners are wasted. Awaiting a third.

03 mins: GOAL REAL MALLORCA. Mallorca in front inside 3 minutes! A first professional goal for Álvaro! 1-0! A cross from the right wing saw a scramble between Pereira, Víctor and Athletic Club defenders. The ball falls for Álvaro who powers home.

00 mins: We’re underway at the Iberostar Estadi.