The last edition of the Vicente Moreno-Luis Garcia Plaza rivalry served an enjoyable lunch hour as Mallorca desperately looked for points in their survival bid.
Vicente Moreno left Mallorca for the Espanyol job two summers ago, replacing Luis Garcia. The two clubs then fought for the Segunda title last season, with the Catalans barely reaching the top.
As was the case in this match. Mallorca were on a course of six straight defeats for this and after Granada’s victory on Saturday just over the relegation zone.
Espanyol are much more comfortable in the midfield and that was evident in a tight first half where Espanyol played with more freedom going forward. Adrian Embarba was a disappointment, however. Raul de Tomas was a disappointment, however.
Mallorca, however, limited the goal from a clear point of view, until the final minutes of the first half. The talented Sergi Darder stole a march to Mallorca midfield, driving towards goal. He doubled a second behind to slip Raul de Tomas behind, who quietly closed in the corner.
Raul de Tomas may have had an easier chance at the start of the second half, but Sergio Rico was unable to strike one-on-one with enough time to weigh him down. That was the last of the clear chances for the visitors.
For the last half hour, Mallorca beat Espanyol as they did what was possible to find an opening. Veteran goalkeeper Diego Lopez was subjected to Espanyol at half-time, but Olazabal’s ear was in inspired form.
It was his flying save that prevented Vedat Muriqi from leveling the best effort on Mallorca. Despite a lot of pressure, Mallorca could not find the elusive goal and was eventually pushed to the ground.
For Espanyol, Vicente Moreno’s Vermouth will be particularly sweet this evening. They go twelve points away from the relegation and get another over his former side.
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