Real Mallorca welcomed Rayo Vallecano to the Iberostar Estadi on Friday knowing that three points would have moved them out of the relegation zone in La Liga.
It was the away side that took the lead after seven minutes when Piti acrobatically found the bottom corner, but a close-range effort from Alfaro levelled the scores with 12 minutes on the clock.
Both sides had chances in the second period, but neither could find the breakthrough as the points were shared in a 1-1 draw.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Week 32 in La Liga gets underway from the Iberostar as Real Mallorca welcome Rayo Vallecano. The home side currently sit in 19th position in the table, but victory over Celta Vigo last week moved them to within one point of safety. Rayo, meanwhile, currently occupy ninth position after a positive season to date.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, Mallorca have enjoyed the best of it with three wins to Rayo’s two. As mentioned, the reverse fixture earlier in the season ended in a 2-0 win for Rayo, but Mallorca were 1-0 winners in the corresponding match last season. Recent history suggests that we will have a close match this evening.
Mallorca ended a run of three successive defeats with a 1-0 win over Celta last weekend courtesy of a late strike from Giovani dos Santos. That result dropped Celta to the bottom of the table, while moving Mallorca to within one point of safety. Due to the proximity at the bottom of the table, three points this evening would take Mallorca into 16th position.
Mallorca have been disappointing on their own patch this season, however, with just five wins from their 15 matches, losing seven times in the process. That said, Rayo have been far from spectacular on their travels with nine defeats from their 15 away La Liga fixtures. This is the type of match that the home side simply cannot afford to lose.
TEAMS:
MALLORCA: Calatayud; Hutton, Geromel, Kevin, Bigas; Marti, Marquez, Pina, Alfaro; Giovani, Hemed
RAYO: Ruben; Casado, Figueras, Tito, Amat; Fuego, Trashorras, Piti; Delibasic, Bangoura, Leo
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Mallorca team this evening with Giovani dos Santos and Tomer Hemed once more starting in attack. Alfaro will operate from a deeper position, but Arizmendi is named on the bench. Rayo, meanwhile, leave Raul Tamudo on the bench, but Delibasic, Bangoura and Leo all start in an attacking lineup.
Rayo’s form has somewhat tailed off in the last few months, but an impressive season has left them in ninth position in the table. However, they have lost three of their last five matches in the league. Three points this evening would move them into eighth position, a very respectable place for a team that operates on such a low budget.
However, as mentioned Rayo are not great travellers. It has been their home form this season that has impressed with nine wins from their 16 matches. They were within touching distance of the top four at the turn of the year, but even the most ardent supporter would admit that their chances of the Champions League have now gone.
Taking a look at the numbers, it is easy to see where Mallorca have struggled this season. They have conceded 63 goals in their 31 matches, the joint-worst record in the league. However, Rayo have not fared much better with 51 goals conceded. Down the other end, Mallorca have scored 33 to Rayo’s 40.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for kickoff. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged. Just about time for my pre-match prediction. The need for Mallorca is certainly greater than Rayo this evening, which is why I am backing the home side to shade a tight match.
Just a reminder of the main team news this evening. Spanish goalkeeper Calatayud comes into the Mallorca team this evening, while Jose Marti and Javi Marquez also get starts in midfield. Rayo, meanwhile, name Leo, Bangoura and Delibasic in a three-man attack. Right, the home side get the action underway on this mild evening in Spain.
It must be said that there is a truly sensational atmosphere inside the stadium this evening. Early half-chance for the home side as Giovani is felled outside the box by Casado. Marti whips the cross into the box, but it just moves wide of the far post. That has certainly lifted the home supporters.
It is difficult to put into context just how important Giovani's goal against Celta Vigo was last weekend, it has moved Mallorca to within one point of safety. First real piece of attacking possession for the away side as Piti attempts to slip a pass towards Leo, but Kevin is across to quell the danger. High-tempo start to proceedings at the Iberostar.
Another half-chance for the home side as Giovani combines with Alfaro before attempting to move beyond the Rayo defence, but Ruben is out to make the clearance. The end-to-end period of the match continues as Rayo break down the other end with Piti, but moments later Hutton wins a free kick for Mallorca. Both sides are certainly going for it with six minutes on the clock.
GOAL! Mallorca 0-1 Rayo (Piti)
Oh my good grief what an effort. The resulting free kick from Mallorca is whipped into the box by Giovani, but Ruben comes through a host of bodies to make the save. Rayo break down the right with Fuego, who finds Piti in the box, the Spaniard meets the cross mid-flight before volleying into the back of the net. Stunning goal.
Well, that has certainly quietened the home supporters for the time being with the travelling fans making their voices known. The goal appears to have rattled Mallorca, who are forced to deal with another long cross into the box, but Hutton is on hand to make the clearance.
It's really good work from Giovani as the Mexican evades two challenges before floating a cross into the box, but it just would not fall for Hemed, with the tall striker losing the battle against Tito. Hardly time to take a breath in the opening 12 minutes as the football continues to flow from end-to-end.
Both teams continue to commit players to each attack as Hutton drives down the right before cutting inside towards Marti, but the Spaniard is quickly surrounded by two defenders. Rayo have accomplished exactly what they would have wanted this evening, they have quietened this passionate home crowd. However, there is still a lot of football to be played in Mallorca.
GOAL! Mallorca 1-1 Rayo (Alfaro)
Mallorca level! It isn't the prettiest of goals as the home players throw themselves at a corner from Giovani, it falls kindly to Alfaro, who has the simple task of firing into the back of the net from close range. What a stunning start to this match.
Rayo attempt to break immediately down the other end as Leo evades two challenges before finding Delibasic, but the experienced striker just cannot keep possession in the final third. The tempo of the match is just extraordinary. I would be astounded if we did not see more goals this evening.
Slightly bitty period in the last couple of moments with the referee forced to deal with a number of challenges. Amat becomes the second Rayo player to enter the book for a late challenge on Bigas. The resulting free kick is whipped into the box, but Pina can only head over the crossbar.
Another half-chance for the away side as Delibasic finds room down the Mallorca left, the striker fires a searching cross into the box, but Hutton is on hand to make the challenge, before the Scot releases Giovani down the left. The home supporters are back with their side, meanwhile, with 19 minutes on the clock.
Piti is the latest player to try his luck from distance as he collects possession on the edge of the box before curling an effort towards the top corner, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. The match has just settled in the last few moments following that explosive opening.
A searching free kick from Piti threatens to cause concern in the Mallorca box as the Spaniard curls one towards the far post, but it just moves wide of the post. You get the feeling that the next goal - if there indeed is one - could be decisive in terms of the final result.
Giovani is again the target for the home side as Marti evades two challenges before slipping a pass beyond the Rayo defence, but the Mexican just could not make up the ground, with Ruben always the favourite to take control of the situation. Little under 20 minutes of the first period remaining.
Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few moments with both sides just exchanging periods of possession. Mallorca remain a threat with the pace and trickery of Giovani, but Piti has been causing the home side problems from a deeper position. A special mention to Hutton, who has been very impressive in the opening 28 minutes of football.
There is some real bite to this match at the moment as both sets of players continue to dive into dangerous challenges. A tackle from Hutton brings the Rayo bench to their feet, but the referee quickly cools the situation. In fairness, it has not been that type of match, although Tito appears to have a late kick at Bigas in the opposing half.
Tito does indeed become the third away player to have his name taken for the referee. There was not a lot in it, but the official has been guided by the linesman. The stop-start period of the match has certainly slowed the tempo in an attacking sense. Half-chance for Mallorca as Giovani delivers towards Hemed, but Ruben comes to clear.
Half-chance for the home side as Hemed rises highest in the box to meet a corner from Giovani, but his header was always moving wide of the target. Another corner arrives moments later, with Hutton making contact, but Ruben collects. Explosive stuff once more.
POST! Rayo come within a whisker of taking the lead as Delibasic evades the offside trap before driving into the box, but his effort thumps off the post. Giovani has possession down the other end moments later, but there are no takers on his low cross into the box.
Another half-chance for the away side as Tito reacts first from a Piti corner, but he can only stab his effort wide of the post. Not too much from Mallorca in the past few minutes with Rayo enjoying the majority of possession. Little over five minutes of the first period remaining at the Iberostar.
Once more the tempo is interrupted with a host of poor challenges in the last minute or two. The latest, which is committed by Kevin on Leo, allows Piti the chance to whip a cross into the box, but Calatayud comes to collect. Good possession from the away side as we approach the latter stages of the half, but the score remains level at 1-1.
Giovani is again involved for the home side as the former Tottenham winger collects possession outside the box before driving towards goal, but he is bundled off the ball by Casado, although the referee does not award a free kick. No real strikes on goal in the last 10 minutes or so, but both sides are offering plenty of suggestions that we will see more goals.
Again it's wonderful work from Piti as the Rayo winger cuts inside before delivering a dangerous cross towards Delibasic, but Calatayud comes to collect. Mallorca want a penalty down the other end moments later as Tito appears to handle, but the referee shakes his head. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional one minute at the end of the first period.
HALF-TIME: Mallorca 1-1 Rayo
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 1-1. Rayo had the lead after seven minutes when Piti acrobatically found the back of the net, but a close-range effort from Alfaro levelled the scores five minutes later. Overall, a draw at this stage is a fair reflection of what we have seen.
STATISTICS: The away side have dominated the possession with 59%, while they have had six attempts to Mallorca's four. That said, the home side have found the target with three of their four attempts. As it stands, Rayo would move into eighth, while Mallorca would move level on points with 17th-placed Granada.
BENCH WATCH: Both sides have a host of attacking options on the bench with Mallorca boasting the likes of Michael Pereira, Antonio Luna and Javier Arizmendi in reserve. Meanwhile, Rayo have forward personnel in the shape of Raul Tamudo, Franco Vasquez and Jose Carlos. There are certainly goals in that list of players.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. No changes for either side at the interval which is perhaps not too surprising based on what we have seen thus far. Decisive 45 minutes of football for both of these sides. Rayo get the second period underway.
Really bright start to the half from the away side as Leo collects possession on the right before floating a cross into the box, Kevin is on hand to clear, but it falls to Trashorras outside the box, who can only fire wide of the target. Moments later Hemed is booked for a high challenge on Tito.
Leo is again involved for the away side as he combines with Piti before spinning behind the Mallorca defence, but the linesman raises his flag. Replays have shown that the Brazilian had indeed strayed into an offside position. Good tempo to the second period, but neither side has really threatened to take the lead with 50 minutes on the clock.
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments with both sides guilty of poor passing in the final third. A half-chance does arrive for Rayo as Piti whips a dangerous free kick into the box, but Hutton is on hand to make the clearance. Giovani collects possession down the other end, but the Mexican's cross is straight into the arms of Ruben.
The challenges continue to fly in from both sides, which is certainly restricting the tempo of the match. The latest free kick allows Marti the chance to whip a cross into the Rayo box, but once more it is straight into the arms of Ruben. Mallorca continue to look for Giovani with each forward pass, but the Mexican is being tightly-marked by two defenders on each occasion.
CHANCE! It is almost as if both teams are exchanging free kicks in and around the opposing penalty at the moment. The latest drops for Leo in the box, but Calatayud makes a stunning save to deny the Brazilian from close range. You just get the feeling that it is going to make a moment of brilliance to open the scoring in the second period.
The home supporters have certainly found their voices as the second period continues to gather pace. However, it is the away side that have started to threaten in the last few moments with Delibasic and Bangoura both having efforts blocked in the box. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining in Mallorca.
Really scrappy period of the match in the last few minutes with neither side taking too much care in possession of the ball, while the foul-count continues to rise. Unfortunately, the match has become about the referee in the second period. Rayo are playing like a team that is not under any real pressure, but Mallorca have just retreated into their shell. I suspect that changes could soon be made.
Another penalty shout for the home side as Giovani evades two challenges before falling to the floor, but the referee is simply not interested. The Mexican has been in a similar situation four or five times this evening, but the referee has not been concerned on any occasion. Little over 25 minutes of football remaining, with the two sides level courtesy of strikes from Piti and Alfaro.
Another half-chance for the away side as Piti is felled outside the box by Kevin. Casado takes the free kick, but his effort is straight into the wall. It drops to Piti, who floats a pass towards Trashorras, but the Spaniard can only fire wide of the post. That is as close as they have come in the second period.
Meanwhile, Rayo make a change as Jose Carlos replaces Leo, who has just struggled with fitness in the second period. Giovani remains the danger for the home side as he drives into the box, but there is just no way through for the Mexican. He really needs one of his teammates to take some pressure away from him.
You just get the feeling that the referee is feeding off the crowd here as he hands another booking to Bangoura for a challenge on Pina. Another free kick is whipped into the box by Giovani, but the Mexican's delivery fails to beat the first man. Little over 20 minutes of football remaining.
Another half-chance for the home side as Geromel meets a corner from Giovani, but his header was always drifting wide of the post. Meanwhile, Mallorca make their first change of the match as Hemed is replaced by Pereira, who did impress last week against Celta Vigo. One change apiece from both managers.
Alfaro is involved for the home side as he collects possession inside his own half before evading two challenges and finding Pereira on the right, but the Frenchman just cannot deliver a telling cross into the box. Meanwhile, Rayo make their second change of the evening as Amat is replaced by his fellow Spaniard Arbilla.
Half-chance for Piti as the Rayo skipper pounces on a loose ball in the box before curling an effort towards the bottom corner, but Kevin is across to make a fine block. In keeping with the end-to-end period of the match, Giovani wins a free kick down the other end, but once more the delivery fails to find a teammate. Little under 15 minutes of football remaining.
CHANCE! Wonderful opportunity for Piti to send Rayo into the lead as he meets a cross from Bangoura, but he can only head straight at the goalkeeper. Where on earth was the marking? Pereira whips a dangerous cross into the box down the other end, but it just would not fall for Giovani.
POST! Another fine chance for the away side as Bangoura evades the offside trap before sliding a finish under Calatayud, but his effort smashes off the post. That is the second time that Rayo have hit the woodwork. Meanwhile, Mallorca make their second change as Marquez is replaced by Arizmendi.
CHANCE! Arizmendi comes close to handing Mallorca the lead with his first touch as he latches onto a mistake from Tito, but Ruben is quick off his line to make a wonderful save. Both goalkeepers must be praised for their performances this evening. They have both made vital saves.
Rayo make their third and final change of the match as Raul Tamudo replaces Delibasic, who just hasn't had the luck in front of goal this evening. Right, little over five minutes for either team to find a winner. It would be a better point for Rayo then it would be for Mallorca. They left it late last week, are they doing the same again?
POST! Rayo hit the woodwork for the third time this evening as Bangoura curls an effort from outside the box, but it smashes against the post. The rebound falls to Tito, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. End-to-end football as we approach the final few minutes.
The challenges continue to fly in as we approach the final minute of normal time, but neither side has been able to capitalise on the amount of free kicks in and around the penalty area. Bangoura appears to have come into his own in the last 10 minutes or so as he thumps an effort from distance, but it moves wide of the post, before Pereira tests Ruben down the other end.
Another half-chance for the away side as Piti moves into the Mallorca box, but he can only poke wide of the post. Pereira delivers a dangerous cross down the other end, but Tito clears with a powerful header, before the Frenchman curls just wide moments later. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional four minutes.
It is the home side that continue to force the issue with a series of high balls into the Rayo box, but it just will not drop for them. A sucker punch almost comes on the break as Raul Tamudo finds Trashorras outside the box, but his effort just creeps wide of the post. Little over one minute remaining.
FULL-TIME: Mallorca 1-1 Rayo
So there we have it. The referee blows his whistle as the two sides share the points in a 1-1 draw. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action and be sure to join us from 4.30pm tomorrow for more La Liga football. Good evening!
