Víctor goal secures Zaragoza away win

A solitary first half goal from Víctor Casadesús ended Real Mallorca’s nine month streak without an away win as they beat bottom of the table Real Zaragoza at La Romareda. The result ramped up the pressure on beleaguered Real Zaragoza coach Javier Aguirre on Sunday night as his solitary goal condemned the Primera Division’s bottom club to another defeat.

Having gone into the game under fire owing to a run of seven games without a win, the Argentinian coach was well aware of how important a positive result was for his side. The Blanquillos were unable to give their coach anything to smile about, though, barely creating a chance at La Romareda, raising further questions about how much longer the 53-year-old former Mexico coach will be given to turn things around.

Having gained a draw from their re-arranged clash with Granada in midweek, Mallorca started confidently, with Álvaro Giménez planting a left-footed shot just wide of Roberto Jiminez’s post. That early effort apart, though, chances were few and far between and almost 30 minutes had passed by the time Ruben Micael’s 25-yard drive was kept out by visiting keeper Dudu Aouate.

That kicked Mallorca back into life and Giménez powered a drive against the bar from just inside the area, laying the platform for his side to take the lead six minutes before the break, when Víctor ghosted in to get a touch on a Pablo Cáceres cross from the left.

Aguirre threw on Luis Garcia and Franco Zuculini at the break in a bid to freshen his side up, but the effects were not obvious as Mallorca started the second half the better, with Michael Pereira hitting wide.

Los Bermellones appeared happy to hold what they had and welcomed pressure on to them, before breaking it up with ease and clearing down field as the home fans’ frustrations grew. Joaquín Caparrós’ men thrived on the tension and looked dangerous on the break, with Emilio Nsue testing Jiminez, while Víctor went close to adding a second of his own.

So insipid was Zaragoza’s performance, that all the late chances fell to the away side, with Víctor again going close in time added on.

Following the result, Joaquín Caparrós said, ‘I am enormously proud to be a part of this club. It was a great job by the kids. This is the line we want to continue. Work, work, work.”

The players were pleased following the result too, with Hemed posting to Twitter, ‘Very happy after the importent [sic] win this evening’. Pereira commented, ‘We’ve arrived in Palma. Three points and, above all, a good performance. It gives us hope. We must follow it up at Sporting.’

Original reporting by Sporting Life, additional reporting by realmallorca.co.uk

Teams

Real Zaragoza (4-2-3-1): Roberto; Zuculini (Lafita 45′), Lanzaro, Pintér , Abraham; Ponzio, Micael (Tomás 61′); Barrera, Luís García (Ortí 45′), Carlos; Postiga .
Substitutes: Falcón (gk); Juárez, Paredes; Tomás, Lafita; Oriol, Ortí.

Real Mallorca (4-4-2): Aouate; Cendrós , Chico, Ramis, Cáceres; Pereira, Tissone, Pina (João Victor 82′), Castro (Nsue 70′); Álvaro (Hemed 76′), Víctor.
Substitutes: Calatayud (gk); Zuiverloon, Bigas; Martí, João Victor, Nsue; Hemed.
Goal: Víctor 40′.

Referee: Fernando Teixeira Vitienes (ESP)
Stadium: La Romareda, Zaragoza
Attendance: tbc.