Dani Rodríguez’s 40th minute strike ensured our pre-season ended with a victory as the return of the annual Trofeu Ciutat de Palma saw us beat Cagliari 1-0 at the Visit Mallorca Estadi.
Luis García Plaza continued to rotate his side as Pablo Gálvez, Jaume Costa and Pablo Maffeo made their first starts in front of our home crowd.
We started the stronger side in the opening exchanges as Jordi Mboula and Gálvez caused havoc for the visiting defenders and were unlucky not to have seen their early efforts result in goals.
Dani Rodríguez was next to go close with a long-distance strike having done well to shake off two markers, although Cragno made a fine save.
Gálvez continued to impress, and following a clever turn, tested Cragno with a stinging drive which required another good stop in the 25th minute.
Our dominance was to be rewarded 15 minutes later as Mboula’s slick play on the wing ended with Dani Rodríguez poking home from close range to ensure we headed into the break with a slender lead.
We looked to double our lead after the break and were unlucky not to have done so four minutes into the second half when the goalscorer combined with Salva Sevilla and Iñigo Ruíz de Galarreta.
The visitors had a sight at goal a minute later following a quick counter, although Manolo Reina made light work of denying Joao Pedro.
The high tempo of the following 45 minutes soon bleated out however as both sides were unable to find space in the final third.
Dani Rodríguez’s first-half strike would prove to be the difference as our pre-season preparations ended with a victory. We now turn our attention to our season opener against Real Betis on Saturday, August 14.
RCD Mallorca: Manolo Reina, Maffeo, Valjent (79’), Russo, Jaume Costa (46’), Baba, Salva Sevilla (59’), Ruiz de Galarreta (75’), Dani Rodríguez, Mboula, Pablo Gálvez (59’)
Substitutes: Leo Román, Pere Joan, Sastre, B. Oliván (46’), Febas (75’), Abdón (59’), Lago Junior (59’), Sedlar (79’), Raíllo, Gayà, Llabrés, Mollejo
Goals: Dani Rodrídguez, 1-0 (40’)
