Mallorca lost a nail-biter one goal to zero at the feet of Girona. The opponent got what it originally wanted, by way of a favorable whistle from the referee on the first play of the second half. “Los Bermellones” (Mallorca) had possession, but did not create clear goal scoring opportunities.
Vázquez group went out with more intensity offensively, and did test the opponent in the first ten minutes of the game with three chances in the penalty area, but could not put the final touch on the ball. The Mallorcans triangulated, won 50-50s, possessed the ball, and probed the opponent.
Nonetheless, Machín´s opposing eleven refused to be bystanders, and joined the game in the 15th minute from a Borja García corner that smacked Wellenreuther´s crossbar. Girona stood up to the Mallorcan pressure and had spells of their own possession, though only creating a few chances. Each team had chances, and our Yuste looked on as Pere Pons had only Sissoko and the keeper to beat; but, in the 38th minute from the front of the area, Salomao delivered well, but to no end.
The second half started with disaster for Mallorca. On the first play of the period, the referee arbitrarily gave a penalty, which Cristian Herrera easily converted. That was in the 46th minute, so the visitors had the rest of the second half to score.
That said, the Mallorcans did retain control and composure, but not the game. The locals were fortified in their defense, and when Mallorca brought any danger, the ball was stopped with astounding ease.
Mallorca tried, but was encapsulated by the opponent, who did not let Mallorca play with any sort of pressure. Thus, the opponent repeatedly and easily stole the ball.
The hard work almost paid off in the 79th minute, when the ball pinballed around the Girona area and slid off the head of Ortuño, only to find the strong hand of Becerra, who prevented the equalizer.
The final minutes of the game brought out the Mallorca monologue of sporadic counterattacks down the wings. And so, Vázquez´ legion continually pestered the Girona box, but when it did, the area became so crowded that nothing entered the goal until after the referee had blown the final whistle.
