Real Madrid come from behind to beat unfortunate Mallorca

Real Mallorca were left scratching their heads after Real Madrid came from behind to beat the islanders 2-1. Mallorca were the better side for much of the game and will feel aggrieved as the officials wrongly ruled out a Tomer Hemed goal that would’ve put them 2-0 up on the hour mark. But Real Madrid showed what champions were made of as their two goals handed them all three points in a game in which they were lucky to take anything from.

After their emphatic 6-1 win in midweek, Caparrós looked to take advantage of the confidence boost naming a 4-4-2 formation rather than the more defensive 4-2-3-1. With nine changes made from the midweek team, only Chori Castro and Tomer Hemed survived. João Victor was given the nod over Pep Martí to replace Tomás Pina in midfield with the young Spaniard suspended for picking up 10 yellow cards in 15 games. And it was Víctor Casadesús who was asked to partner Tomer Hemed instead of Marvin Ogunjimi who had to wait to make his debut.

The first real chance fell to Mallorca who didn’t allow the away side to settle as they challenged them for every ball. Tomer Hemed steamed through the Madrid defence before pulling the ball back for Víctor Casadesús at the near post. Víctor, under pressure from Arbeloa, flicked the ball goalwards but couldn’t quite get enough on it as it rolled wide.

Just two minutes later Víctor then had an appeal for a penalty turned down after a challenge from Diarra. Pérez Montero made the correct decision as the replays showed that Víctor slipped.

Castro and Hemed linked up well all evening and on 27 minutes, Castro played the Israeli in. Hemed struggled to beat Ramos for pace but managed to hold him off for long enough to get his shot away, but under pressure he failed to test Casillas.

Cendrós was having problems in his role at right back and twice scythed down Cristiano Ronaldo. On the second occasion, it gave Real Madrid the first shot at goal after 32 minutes. Ronaldo’s free-kick didn’t test Aouate, however.

But with 37 minutes on the clock, Michael Pereira chased down a lost ball causing Sergio Ramos to make a mistake and concede a corner. Castro played a one-two from the corner before crossing the ball in. Tomer Hemed beat Arbeloa to the header to give Los Bermellones a deserved lead with just 7 minutes of the first half remaining.

It wasn’t to be the last action of a fine first half, though. Sergio Ramos hit the post after he met a corner with his head on the stroke of half-time. Aouate stood no chance and the defence breathed a sigh of relief as the ball was cleared ensuring they would go in at the break a deserved goal to the good.

A furious Mourinho made an attacking half-time change bringing on Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuaín for defensive midfielder Lassana Diarra. But it made little difference at the start of the second half as Mallorca picked up where they left off.

Los Blancos began to get frustrated and resorted to trick tactics to try and get themselves back into the game. Ronaldo made the most of next to no contact between him and Cendrós, well aware that the Spaniard was a foul away from a yellow card, to get the referee to dish out the game’s first yellow card.

From the resulting play, Callejón shamelessly threw himself to the ground in the penalty area in an attempt to con the referee into awarding the away side with a penalty but Pérez Montero waved him away. Ramis was furious with Callejón and confronted the 24-year-old. Callejón went to headbutt Ramis, but this didn’t deter the defender who screamed some more.

Whilst this was going on, Mallorca hit Madrid on the counter attack as Víctor Casadesús was played through. He was ruled offside but due to the noise of the crowd from the previous incident, the sides played on as Víctor beat the defenders and slotted the ball past Iker Casillas. The offside was an abysmal decision however, as Víctor was in his own half as the ball was played.

It was to prove to be the turning point. Two more attacking substitutions were made by Mourinho as Kaká and Coentrão came on for Arbeloa and Marcelo. And with 72 minutes on the clock, Los Blancos were handed another generous piece of fortune as they hit the equaliser.

A good move saw Higuaín skip in behind the Mallorca defence with Tissone tracking back. As Tissone tries to make the block, he deflects the Higuaín shot past Aouate who may have had the original shot covered. 1-1.

The goal knocked the wind out of Mallorca who suddenly looked very fatigued as heads started to drop. Ronaldo nearly won it just moments later as his vicious strike crashed against the crossbar – a strike that would’ve been fit to win any football match.

And finally, Madrid found their winner. Tired legs meant Aouate, Chico and Ramis all failed to deal with a Real Madrid attack as the ball was bundled out of the area with all three committed. The ball rolled for Callejón who smashed home the winner with Aouate unable to get back into his goal in time.

The fireworks didn’t stop there. With just two minutes left on the clock, Mallorca had another appeal for a penalty turned down as they accused Sergio Ramos of handball. Replays showed that it was the correct decision, but the frustration meant all hell broke loose. Mallorca’s substitutes and coaching staff stormed onto the pitch and the players furiously surrounded the referee. Meanwhile, Iván Ramis and João Victor clashed with Özil and Benzema before being seperated as tempers flared.

Madrid managed to see out the final assaults on goal to earn themselves three points in a game they were fortunate to take anything from. The turning point was, without doubt, the appalling decision to disallow Hemed’s second goal which would’ve put Mallorca 2-0 up with 30 minutes remaining. But they say the sign of champions is when you win when you don’t play well, and Real Madrid’s grit and determination sends a chilling message to Barcelona. They want this title.

For Mallorca, the result is disappointing but there are many things that they can draw comfort from. Head Coach Joaquín Caparrós is making clear progress with the team. Former Mallorca player Gerry Armstrong summed it up perfectly. ‘Mallorca will win alot of games playing alot worse than this.’

They were playing one of the best two teams in the world and were unfortunate not to take all three points. Let’s not get wrapped up in disappointment but get behind Caparrós and his men. The points will come.

Teams

Real Mallorca (4-4-2): Aouate; Cendrós , Ramis, Chico, Cáceres; Pereira, João Victor, Tissone (Alfaro 86′), Castro; Hemed (Ogunjimi 73′), Víctor (Martí 83′).
Substitutes: Calatayud (gk); Nunes, Bigas; Martí, Alfaro, Nsue; Ogunjimi.
Goal: Hemed 38′.

Real Madrid (4-2-3-1): Casillas; Arbeloa (Kaká 58′), Pepe, Ramos, Marcelo (Coentrão 58′); Diarra (Higuaín 45′), Xabi Alonso; Callejón, Özil, Ronaldo; Benzema.
Substitutes: Adán (gk); Varane; Coentrão, Granero, Sahin, Kaká; Higuaín.
Goal: Higuaín 72′; Callejón 86′.

Referee: Pedro Pérez Montero (ESP)
Stadium: Iberostar Estadi, Palma de Mallorca
Attendance: 19,557.

As it happened

FULL-TIME: Real Mallorca 1-2 Real Madrid

90 mins: Four minutes to be added on.

87 mins: All hell breaks loose as Mallorca have appeals for penalty turned down. They excuse Ramos off handball but the referee waves them all away. Correct decision too. But everyone is whipped up into a frenzy and Ogunjimi is booked. They look like they’re losing their heads. Moments later, Ramis clashes with Özil and Benzema. Lots of pushing.

86 mins – REAL MALLORCA SUBSTITUTION: Fernando Tissone is off and Alejandro Alfaro is on as Mallorca try and rescue this game.

86 mins: That’s an odd one. Coentrão was waiting to take a throw so Mallorca could make a change and is booked for time wasting. That’s harsh.

85 mins: Heartbreak for Mallorca. Tired legs see both Chico and Ramis struggle to clear and Aouate comes to try and collect. The ball is bundled away to the edge of the area where Callejón smashes it in with Aouate unable to get back to his goal.

84 mins – REAL MADRID GOAL: And Real Madrid have won it! Callejón!

83 mins – REAL MALLORCA SUBSITUTION: Change of formation for Mallorca as Caparrós sends Martí on for Víctor.

82 mins: A tired tackle from Castro sees a yellow card for the Uruguayan. Callejón needlessly rolls about on the floor as if he had been shot.

80 mins: Mallorca counter attack after a Real Madrid corner. João Victor does well to get down the pitch and play it through for Pereira. His cutback was poor, however, and behind Ogunjimi. Madrid clear.

79 mins: It is all Real Madrid now as wave after wave of attacks reign upon the Mallorca goal. Mallorca have ten minutes to see this game out for a point.

77 mins: That goal has knocked the wind out of Mallorca. They must’ve been playing on adrenaline because they look very fatigued now. They need some fresh legs. Pep Martí looks like the best shout.

75 mins: Caparrós must bring Cendrós off. The young Spaniard has been out of his depth all game and clearly fouls Ronaldo again. The referee has been very lenient in not giving him a second yellow. A lucky boy. And so to is Aouate. From the resulting free-kick, Ramos beats Aouate in the air and heads the ball in. It’s a delayed response but the linesman’s flag goes up for offside. And he was right too. Very good decision, because it was a close one.

74 mins: A vicious strike from long range by Ronaldo crashes against the crossbar. That would’ve been good enough to win any game.

73 mins – REAL MALLORCA SUBSITUTION: Marvin Ogunjimi makes his La Liga debut as he comes on for Tomer Hemed. He’s had a good game Hemed, and ran himself ragged. He looks shattered now.

72 mins – REAL MADRID GOAL: Equaliser! Good fortune for Real Madrid because they have not deserved it. A good move sees Higuaín in behind the defence. Tissone tries to make the block but instead his deflection takes it past Aouate. The goalkeeper might have saved it otherwise.

71 mins: Good strike on goal from long range from Kaká. Aouate is on hand to tip the ball over the bar, however.

70 mins: It looks as if Marvin Ogunjimi will be making his La Liga debut for Real Mallorca very shortly…

67 mins: Mallorca pick their game up again as Castro comes forward. He lays it back for an unmarked Michael Pereira on the edge of the area. His shot is scuffed but is still heading to the corner of the goal as Casillas turns it round the post. The corner comes to nothing.

66 mins: Roars from the stands as Ronaldo massively overhits a cross. Just about sums up Madrid this evening.

60 mins: Let’s just try and tackle what happened. Callejón with a clear dive in an attempt to win a penalty and the ball is cleared. Whilst Mallorca counter there are handbags between Ramis, who is unsurprisingly furious, and Callejón. The Real Madrid man goes to headbutt Ramis who just screams at him even more so. Down the other end, Víctor raced onto a through ball but the flag was straight up for offside. The crowd was making so much noise that the Spaniard didn’t hear the whistle, ran through the defence and slotted the ball past Casillas. Got all that?

58 mins – REAL MADRID SUBSTITUTIONS: Final two subs for Mourinho’s men already. Kaká and Coentrão are on for Arbeloa and Marcelo. Now those are attacking changes.

57 mins: Víctor Casadesús has a goal ruled out for offside. Mad couple of minutes as seconds ago Real Madrid have penalty appeals turned down. Let me catch my breath.

57 mins: And there is the second. Needless little knock by Cendrós on Ronaldo. The Portuguese, knowing Cendrós has committed a couple of fouls already, makes the most of it.

56 mins: First yellow card of the game. Fernando Tissone is booked for dissent.

55 mins: Whilst Mallorca are still battling for possession, it looks as if their intensity has been purposely lowered. It seems like Caparrós has said let’s get to 60 minutes and then pick it back up again.

53 mins: Tomer Hemed’s head meets the corner but couldn’t quite get direction or power to the ball. Unlucky.

52 mins: I was about to say that Real Madrid have started the second half brightly. It would be true, but there are still mistakes in their game. And then Fernando Tissone wins possession, runs in the corner with no support and kicks the ball against the defender to win a corner. Brilliant.

45 mins: We’re back underway for the second half.

45 mins – REAL MADRID SUBSTITUTION: Attacking change for Real Madrid. Gonzalo Higuaín is on for Lassana Diarra.

HALF-TIME: Real Mallorca 1-0 Real Madrid.
My, my. What do you say about that? Real Mallorca deservedly lead against José Mourinho’s Real Madrid side. This Real Mallorca team is constantly improving under Joaquín Caparrós who has got his tactics and team selection spot on today. They have not allowed Los Blancos any time on the ball and have forced mistakes from the away side. It doesn’t seem as if Madrid expected Mallorca to play like this. The only question would be, how long can Mallorca keep this tiring game plan up for and what is in Caparrós mind for when they start to tire?

44 mins: Ramos hits the post from the free-kick! Good header, Aouate with no chance, Mallorca escape.

43 mins: Sloppy foul by Pablo Cáceres on Özil. That’s a couple now for him too. A yellow cannot be too far away now.

40 mins: The fans sing Castro’s name. He certainly has returned to form. What is his future? Real Madrid come out swinging after the goal though. Mallorca need to keep focus.

38 mins – REAL MALLORCA GOAL: From the corner, Castro plays a short ball and gets it back. His cross is met by the head of Tomer Hemed who beats a sluggish Arbeloa to give Real Mallorca a deserved 1-0 lead. Game on.

37 mins: Michael Pereira chases down a lost cause and forces a mistake from Sergio Ramos earning them a corner. And that sums up Mallorca’s performance so far today. They are not letting Real Madrid have any time on the ball.

32 mins: First strike on goal from Real Madrid and it’s from the free-kick. Ronaldo’s strike doesn’t cause Aouate too many problem as the Israeli goalkeeper comfortably claims the ball.

31 mins: Cendrós chops Ronaldo down for a second time. Next one and we will surely see a booking.

30 mins: Víctor is causing the Real Madrid defence problems as he races forward again and wins a corner. It comes to nothing, however.

29 mins: That was the best chance of the game so far. And with nearly 30 minutes on the clock, Real Madrid are yet to have a shot on goal. But let’s not tempt fate just yet. There is still a long way to go.

27 mins: Oh, Tomer Hemed raced through on goal! Great counter attacking football by Mallorca as Castro and Hemed linked up to send the Israeli through on goal. He struggled to get away from Ramos, however, and his shot showed that as it rolled wide.

25 mins: The last Real Mallorca match Pérez Montero refereed? You guessed it: FC Barcelona 5-0 Real Mallorca.

23 mins: Disappointing by Castro. He runs at the Madrid defence on the counter attack. Despite having three men in support he tries to go it alone and is dispossessed.

18 mins: Former Mallorca player Gerry Armstrong just commented on how Mallorca are chasing the ball down when they lose possession, harrying Los Blancos. But for how long can they keep at that tempo? It does explain why João Victor started ahead of Martí though.

13 mins: Now, how will Cendrós cope with Ronaldo this evening? The first duel doesn’t look to good for the young Spaniard. Ronaldo turns nicely and Cendrós hacks him down. Free-kick.

12 mins: Callejón is ruled offside from a through ball but his shot hits the side netting anyway. It’s a good job too because it was the wrong decision. Onside. Meanwhile, more silky skills from Tomer Hemed. He looks to be really settling in to life in Spain.

11 mins: Mallorca have a penalty appeal turned down. Víctor tumbles under a challenge from Diarra. Would’ve been harsh for that to have been given. Looked like Víctor slipped more than anything.

10 mins: There was a slight altercation at the end of the move between Chori Castro and Marcelo. Marcelo made a mistake in the move giving the ball to Castro and flung an arm at him as he fell over. Castro retaliates by kicking his foot out. All very half-hearted and it quickly fizzles out to nothing.

09 mins: Fantastic play from Tomer Hemed as he surged through the Real Madrid defence. His pull back across goal saw a cheeky flick from Víctor but the ball rolls wide. Arbeloa did just about enough.

08 mins: Fernando Tissone was half asleep as his pocket was picked by Arbeloa. He was lucky it came to nothing.

04 mins: Decent half chance for Karim Benzema. Good through ball by Sergio Ramos but Benzema can’t quite take advantage. Iván Ramis did enough to put the Frenchman off.

00 mins: It’s nice to hear the Mallorca anthem as we get underway here at Iberostar Estadi. Nine changes to the Mallorca lineup that beat Real Sociedad 6-1. Only Hemed and Castro remain. A simple victory for Real Madrid tonight, right?

Preview

‘Tonight we will give everything we have got to get a positive result against Real Madrid.’

That was the rally call from Real Mallorca Head Coach Joaquín Caparrós, which he posted to Twitter earlier on in the day. Everyone knows that this is a tall order for Los Bermellones, who were taught a footballing lesson by Barcelona earlier in the season. But progress has been made under Caparrós and their 6-1 victory over Real Sociedad in midweek is the biggest signifier. Their next opponents are a world away from their last, however.

Real Madrid have taken 22 points in away clashes, more than any other team in the championship. They’ve won seven games on the road, scoring the most goals (27) and conceding the least (5). Los Blancos won three and drew two of their previous five games in Mallorca, tallying nine strikes and conceding only two along the way. Nevertheless, they drew the inaugural league clash of the previous campaign at the Iberostar Estadi.

The Real Sociedad result has provided Mallorca with confidence. It has also provided Caparrós with enough confidence to go with a 4-4-2 formation instead of the more defensive 4-2-3-1. Marvin Ogunjimi will have to wait for his league debut as Caparrós instead opts from Tomer Hemed and Víctor Casadesús up front. It is João Victor and not Pep Martí who replaces the suspended Tomás Pina in midfield. And Ramis and Chico continue their parternship at centre back.