Álvaro’s first goal gives Mallorca win in Gijón

Real Mallorca lifted themselves to eleventh place, within four points of Europe, after a dramatic 3-2 victory over Sporting in Gijón. Álvaro Giménez netted the winner for Los Bermellones earning the visitors their second successive victory in La Liga. It was the 20-year-old’s first professional goal that secured Mallorca the points after they twice squandered leads given to them by captain José Nunes and Sporting’s Orfila.

Joaquín Caparrós was dealt a selection problem ahead of his side’s trip to Gijón with six players missing. Sergio Tejera, Kevin García and Marvin Ogunjimi were all ruled out through injury whilst Chori Castro, Michael Pereira and Iván Ramis all served suspensions. The game gave Pau Cendrós his first start since the win over Real Betis at the beginning of February. And youngster Álvaro Giménez was given the nod of Israeli Tomer Hemed.

The away side took the lead on the half hour mark when, after a scramble in the area following a corner, the ball fell to captain José Nunes who managed to get enough connection to his scuffed strike to send the ball into the corner of the goal from 12 yards.

Dudu Aouate answered some of his critics with two outstanding reaction saves either side of the Mallorca goal. The latter saw him adjust quickly to save well from a powerful header from 6 yards.

There was nothing the Israeli could do about the Sporting equaliser seven minutes from the break, however. Poor defending from Pau Cendrós allowed Adrián Colunga all the time in the world to lift the ball over the on rushing Aouate just inside the area.

Undeterred, Mallorca took the lead again almost straight from the kick off. Emilio Nsue burst down the right flank, cutting inside of Canella at the byline, before attempting to pull the ball back across goal. Orfila tried to make the block but only succeeded to deflecting the ball past Juan Pablo.

Another mistake from the clearly unfit Pau Cendrós allowed Sporting back on to level terms again. Mallorca failed to clear a corner and, after another penalty box scramble, the ball fell to Botía with Aouate stranded. Cendrós, who played Botía onside, failed to get in the block and Botía poked home from inside the six yard box to make it 2-2.

But the story wasn’t to end there. With 15 minutes to go, Víctor Casadesús came forward for Los Bermellones before playing in youngster Álvaro Giménez. The Alicante-born striker coolly knocked it through the legs of Botía before calmly steering the ball round Juan Pablo for his first ever professional goal securing all three points for his team.

Mallorca are now unbeaten in four matches. Next up? FC Barcelona visit the island.

Teams

Sporting Gijón (4-2-3-1): Juan Pablo; Lora, Botía, Orfila, Canella ; Gálvez (Castro 57′), Cases ; Mendy (Carmelo 72′), Trejo (de las Cuevas 53′), Colunga; Barral.
Substitutes: Cuéllar (gk); Castro, Eguren, Ayoze, Mendy, de las Cuevas, Carmelo; Bilic.
Goals: Colunga 38′; Botía 66′.

Real Mallorca (4-4-2): Aouate; Cendrós , Chico, Nunes, Cáceres (Bigas 64′); Nsue, Martí, Tissone , Alfaro (Pina 72′); Víctor (Hemed 74′), Álvaro.
Substitutes: Calatayud (gk); Bigas, Martí Crespí, Zuiverloon; João Victor, Pina; Hemed.
Goals: Nunes 30′; Orfila 47′ og; Álvaro 77′.

Referee: Pedro Pérez Montero (ESP)
Stadium: El Molinón, Gijón
Attendance: 24,000

Highlights