Spanish La Liga: Mallorca 2-0 Real Sociedad, Match Analysis
Mallorca were confident going into the match that they were in for the gold and having the home advantage they started strongly. Castro and Kevin struck a noticeable partnership as they cut through Real Sociedad’s midfield and defensive
line up.
Mallorca were clearly the better side and they were rewarded when Cavenaghi scored as early as the 7thminute. The Mallorca player received the ball while he was facing away from the goal, but did an excellent job to turn around,
avoid Gonzalez and bury a low shot into the back of the net.
That was Cavenaghi’s first goal for the club and what a fantastic goal it was for the striker. Sociedad were in a state of panic after conceding such an early goal but they did retaliate with an attack of their own however Mallorca easily
dealt with it. At one point it seemed that Gutierrez was the only player going forward for Sociedad but with the lack of support, his efforts were insufficient.
A few moments later Mallorca were presented with two opportunities to further their lead, which they missed, Nsue, the 20 year old who spent last season with Sociedad, was a constant threat to the goal and two minutes after his attempt
Castro attempted at a shot from just outside the box, which was just barely away from the wood work.
Mallorca continued with their flowing play and enjoyed 60 percent of the possession. The few breaks that Real Sociedad got and went forward with the ball were effectively dealt with by the Mallorca goal keeper Aouate. The visitors’ keeper
Claudio Bravo was troubled shortly after, Casadesus’ header seemed to be goal bound but was punched away in the last minute.
Nunes, who had been inspirational in the early stages of the game, was left on the ground after a challenge from Gutierrez. The youngster was unable to continue and had to be stretchered off. But despite having to make a substitution so
early on, Mallorca continued dominating, and when Ruben made his third unfair tackle on Zurutuza, he received a yellow card.
The second half started where the first had left off, with Mallorca maintaining possession and creating chances to trouble the visitors’ goal keeper. Just 7 minutes into the second half Mallorca almost scored and it was only due to Claudio
Bravo’s effort that the score remained 1-0. Marti’s shot into Sociedad’s half almost reached the goal hungry Cavenaghi, but Bravo stretched full length to grab the ball.
A minute later came Sociedad’s best chance of the match came but they were unfortunate to not have scored off of that opportunity. Griezmann was presented with the ball less than ten yards from the goal and his effort from right foot went
over the bar. The Sociedad man could only shake his head at the failed attempt. Sociedad did score after that, but the goal was incorrectly disallowed for being offside, the visitors’ were disheartened further and a comeback seemed impossible now.
Mallorca confirmed their win with a second goal just past the hour mark, and it was Cavenaghi again. This time it was a corner which met with Casadesus’ header and Cavenaghi was in the right place at the right time as he steered the ball
into the back of the net from about a yard out. Sociedad seemed to have accepted a loss after the second goal, but there was an attempt which was saved by Auoate once again. The Mallorca goal keeper was exceptional throughout the match and after Cavenaghi,
was the best player for Mallorca.
The loss at Mallorca have left Real Sociedad at the bottom of the table, the relegation zone. However, it is still early on in the season and the side still have time to improve their form and return to the winning ways. Mallorca on the
other hand have earned another impressive result at home, having beaten Ossasuna and drawn with Real Madrid earlier. Mallorca, with their developing players, seemed like a force to be reckoned with this season.
Starting XI
Mallorca: Auoate - Ramis, Nunes, Marti, Guzman, Castro, Nsue, Edson, Cavenaghi, Casadesus.
Real Sociedad: Bravo - Gonzalez, Ansotegui, de la Bella, Martinez - Gutierrez, Aranbaru, Griezmann, Prieto - Tamudo, Zurutuza.
Tags: