We returned from the international break with a 1-0 win against Rayo Vallecano courtesy of a Vedat Muriqi header in the 75th minute.
Jagoba Arrasate opted to continue with Dominik Grief in goal as Muriqi and Cyle Larin led the forward line.
We almost got off to a dream start when in the second minute Muriqi controlled a long ball forward and clipped a ball into Robert Navarro on the move, but his first-time volley struck the outside of the post.
Muriqi would almost turn from provider to goalscorer in the 11th minute when a powerful header of his just flew over the bar.
The visitors then had a positive spell after our early chances, creating opportunities which would ultimately not trouble Grief.
Navarro would have our last sight of goal in the 44th minute when he struck from close range just wide of the mark.
Larin would have our first opportunity of the second half moments after the restart when his whipped effort forced an acrobatic save from Batalla.
Batalla would have to be at his best again as we queued up at the backpost to flick the ball goalwards, with the Rayo Vallecano shot stopper tipping over the bar.
We took the lead with 15 minutes left on the clock when Muriqi climbed highest to head home Dani Rodríguez’s whipped corner into the top corner.
We looked to see out our slender lead and reduced the visitors to very little opportunities as all three points remained on the island and we returned to domestic football with the victory.
Line-ups:
Rayo Vallecano: Augusto Batalla, Andrei Ratiu, Florian Lejeune, Abdul Mumin (Aridane Hernández, min 73), Ivan Balliu, Jorge de Frutos, Unai López (Óscar Valentín, min 63), Gerard Gumbau (Pathé Ciss, min 55), Álvaro García, Sergio Camello (Sergi Guardiola, min 55), Isi Palazón (James Rodríguez min 64).
RCD Mallorca: Dominik Greif, Pablo Maffeo, Martin Valjent, Antonio Raillo, Johan Mojica, Robert Navarro (Valery Fernández, min 72), Manu Morlanes (Omar Mascarell, min 77), Samu Costa, Sergi Darder (Antonio Sánchez, min 84), Vedat Muriqi (Abdón Prats, min 84), Cyle Larin (Dani Rodríguez, min 72).
Goals: 0-1, Muriqi, 75’
