Our good run of form comes to an end on a frustrating afternoon in Barcelona
We were unlucky to fall to a 2-1 defeat at RCD Espanyol as goals from Marash Kumbulla and Jofre either side of half-time put the game beyond Cyle Larin’s strike and saw our run of three consecutive victories come to an end.
Jagoba Arrasate selected Domink Grief in goal for the trip to Barcelona while Sergi Darder started against his former side, with ex-RCD Mallorca left back Brian Olivan in the opposing dugout as a substitute.
Chances were few and far between for both sides throughout the game as the hosts took the lead in the 18th minute when a Kumbulla climbed highest to head home a whipped cross into the box.
RCD Espanyol had a later strike from distance which did not bother Grief towards the end of the first half, although we would head into the break a goal down having yet to test Joan Garcia.
We started slow after the break and were punished for it in the 47th minute when Jofre found the bottom corner from the edge of the box to double RCD Espanyol's lead.
Our first sight at goal would fall to Darder in the 53rd minute although his header was comfortably saved.
The boss made a series of changes in an attempt to reinvigorate the side as Abdon, Chiquinho and Toni Lato were among those introduced.
We pulled a goal back in the 68th minute when Larin found himself unmarked at the back post from a corner to poke home a loose ball.
Despite out best efforts to draw level with Chiquinho coming closest to scoring, we succumbed to defeat and headed home empty handed.
Line-ups
RCD Mallorca: Dominik Greif, Pablo Maffeo, José Copete, Antonio Raíllo, Johan Mojica (Lato, min. 60), Samu Costa, Omar Mascarell, Robert Navarro (Valery, min. 60), Sergi Darder (Abdón, min. 60), Dani Rodríguez (Chiquinho, min. 60), Cyle Larin.
RCD Espanyol: Joan García, El Hilali, Marash Kumbulla, Sergi Gómez, Carlos Romero, Gragera, Jofre (Antoniu, min. 84), Kral, Pol Lozano (Cheddira, min. 75), Irvin Cardona (Pere Milla, min. 55) y Alejo Veliz (Calero, min. 83).
