After the comfortable win against Valladolid the previous week Mallorca travelled to Granada on Monday the 24 th of August and suffered a chastening two nil defeat. There was some doubt as to whether the game would take place following the recent earthquake in Andalusia but the local authorities and Spanish League gave the go ahead following structural surveys.
Sergi Darder did not travel due to injury and Alex Sala took his place in midfield and this was the only change from the opening game. Mallorca started very brightly and after a couple of minutes striker Fuentes received a delightful through ball from Morlanes but he only found the side netting. A moment later Fuentes was through again, rounded the goalkeeper and put the ball int the net only for the effort to be ruled out because of a very tight offside call.
The home side grew into the game and on the 20 th minute Pedro Aleman turned in the box and hit a shot that found the net. Goalkeeper Arnau Tenas should have done better with his attempt to save and he looked shaky throughout the game. From then on Mallorca took control with the home side sitting back and relying on breakaways. There were few opportunities created however and the match was decided on the 81 st minute in the most bizarre fashion.
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Granada were awarded a corner kick and referee Saúl Ais Reig had his back to the corner watching the players in the area. The corner kick was taken without permission and the referee blew his whistle indicating the corner could be taken but the ball was in the air! Both teams stopped altogether believing the referee had seen an infringement and the ball bounced off Mallorca`s defender Puigmal into the net. To everyone’s amazement the referee awarded a goal. Protests went on long and hard but the referee refused to admit his mistake.
Young Pollensa born winger Josep Cerda and new signing Adam Buska were thrown on to no avail. The match demonstrated how tough the Spanish second division is, and how poor the refereeing standard is!
Mallorca acquired two new signings before the game – Polish Striker Buska on loan from Italian side Udinese with an option to buy and veteran left back Albert Moreno on a free transfer from Como, another Italian team. Young striker Marc Domenech has joined Atletico Madrid´s B Team on loan. He has long been regarded by Mallorca but in reality he hasn’t delivered when given the chance. Hopefully he can come back next year as a better player with a full season under his belt.
A Comfortable Response Against Ceuta
Next up Mallorca faced Ceuta on Sunday the 30 th of August at 19.00 which is a ridiculous time for a game to be played in Mallorca in August due to the heat.
Josep Cerda, the Pollensa born winger, replaced Roca as the one change from the starting eleven in Granada. The visitors had lost their two league games conceding seven goals and scoring one so a comfortable victory was expected by the home fans.
Early pressure from the reds led to a number of free kicks on the edge of the area with Pablo Torres trying his luck to no avail. Misfiring striker Adrian Fuentes had an easy chance which he missed. On 19 minutes another free kick was taken by Alex Sala who drove a low effort into the corner of the net. The visitors defensive wall seemed to have been badly constructed but Sala delivered the goods.
Into the second half with just 5 minutes gone Fuentes seized on a loose ball in the area, beat his marker and scored with an emphatic finish. His celebrations were exuberant and his team mates were very happy for him.
Later on new signing the Polish “beanpole” Buksa was introduced along with wingers Roca and Liso. He had said that his strength was in the air but the wingers constantly cut inside instead of going for the byline and putting in crosses for him. Finally on the 89 th minute a corner from Sala was gleefully headed into the net by Buksa and the victory was complete.
To be honest it wasn’t a great game against very poor opposition but these games have to be won.
Charles Nutter
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