Real Mallorca thrash Real Sociedad to progress in Copa

An inspired performance from Real Mallorca saw them come from behind to thrash Real Sociedad 6-1 and progress to the Quarter Finals of the Copa del Rey. Goals from Castro (2), Hemed (2) and captain José Nunes helped Los Bermellones overturn Ifrán’s opener.

There was excitement around the ground before kick-off as it was announced that Marvin Ogunjimi had been deemed fit to make his debut for Real Mallorca after his move to the club from Genk. José Nunes continued his battle with fitness after returning from injury and there were rare starts for Gianni Zuiverloon, Martí Crespí and Alejandro Alfaro.

Mallorca started the game well but it was Real Sociedad who took the lead. In similar circumstances to the first leg, left back de la Bella was allowed too much room on the left wing and his perfectly weighted cross found an unmarked Ifrán who headed his team into a 1-0 lead on the night and 3-0 aggregate lead. The away goal looked to have given Real Sociedad one foot in the Quarter Final with Mallorca now chasing four goals to progress.

But Mallorca responded well and despite going a goal down, they did not let their heads drop. And soon their patience paid off. Alejandro Alfaro was fouled on the edge of the Real Sociedad area on 33 minutes by de la Bella. Chori Castro’s perfect free-kick that followed gave Mallorca a fine reward for their hard work.

With the game barely restarted, Marvin Ogunjimi dropped deep to collect the ball and play it forward to partner Tomer Hemed. The Israeli issued the perfect response to those who doubted his ability by coming forward, cutting inside and unleashing a blistering strike from outside the area to give Mallorca a 2-1 lead.

Again, more or less straight from the kick off, the away side had a chance to reply with Xabi Preito through on goal. He dummied a strike hoping that Calatayud would commit, but the Spaniard stood tall leaving Xabi Prieto with a harder job to do. Calatayud went on to make a good save.

Good link up play between Gianni Zuiverloon and Alejandro Alfaro allowed the Dutchman to lay the ball off for Chori Castro. The Uruguayan’s strike took a deflection winning Mallorca a corner. From the resulting corner, captain José Nunes climbed above Mariga to power home a header and make it 3-1.

Mallorca got the all important fourth in a cheeky fashion. After an attack broke down and Zubikarai claimed the ball, Castro remained behind the goal to recover from his exertions. With Zubikarai believing all Mallorca attackers had vacated his area, he dropped the ball to the floor unaware that Castro was behind him. The winger quickly woke up and took position to roll the ball home to put Mallorca in the driving seat of the tie at half-time. 4-1.

Caparrós made just one change to his side at half-time. After a poor first half, perhaps largely in part to a lack of match fitness, Gianni Zuiverloon was brought off and replaced by youth defender Biel Company wearing the number 35 shirt.

It didn’t take Mallorca long to pick up where they left off in the second half. Ogunjimi and Castro linked up well to play Bigas in down the left wing. His cross found the waiting head of Alejandro Alfaro who expertly headed home his first ever goal for Mallorca.

And Tomer Hemed tied the game up on the hour mark with another moment of brilliance. Alfaro won the ball in midfield before playing a through ball to the Israeli striker who coolly dinked the ball over Zubikarai with all the experience of a La Liga veteran to make it 6-1.

There is plenty for Caparrós and his team to take away from this game. Whilst the importance, or lack of, cannot be ignored – Mallorca played like a team. One which is starting to gain confidence and one which has substance in its results. The performances of Bigas, Alfaro, Castro, Ogunjimi and Hemed were all encouraging, whilst Pep Martí showed he can still do a job in the first XI. Perhaps one of the biggest successes from the progression is the extra game time for a rusty José Nunes to regain his match fitness.

The game does raise doubts over the future of Gianni Zuiverloon, however. The Dutchman has failed to gain a starting XI berth under both Michael Laudrup and now Joaquín Caparrós with Pau Cendrós the first choice right back. And his poor performance and resulting half-time substitution means his short-lived Mallorca career could be over before it’s really begun.

Mallorca will face either Athletic Club or Albacete in the Quarter Final next week. That tie will be decided on Thursday after their 0-0 first leg draw.

Teams

Real Mallorca (4-4-2): Calatayud ; Zuiverloon (Company 45′), Nunes, Martí Crespí, Bigas; Alfaro , Martí, Pina , Castro (Tejera 85′); Ogunjimi (Nsue 62′), Hemed.
Substitutes: Aouate (gk); Company, Marí; Tejera, Nsue; Abdón, Álvaro.
Goals: Castro 34′, 40′; Hemed 35′, 59′; Nunes 38′; Alfaro 53′.

Real Sociedad (4-2-3-1): Zubikarai; Estrada, Demidov, Martínez, de la Bella; Elustondo, Mariga (Griezmann 60′); Xabi Prieto, Zurutuza (Agirretxe 67′), Vela; Ifrán.
Substitutes: Toño (gk); Ansotegi, Cadmuro; Bergara, Griezmann, Aranburu; Agirretxe.
Goal: Ifrán 16′.

Referee: Miguel Ángel Ayza Gámez (ESP)
Stadium: Iberostar Estadi, Palma de Mallorca
Attendance: 6,950