RCD Mallorca were held to a 0-0 draw against Athletic Bilbao despite an enthralling finale which included two missed penalties and a late winner denied by the offside flag.
The stop-start nature of the first 20 minutes took the fluidity out of opening exchanges as both sides struggled to find their rhythm and were limited to half chances from hopeful crosses.
- Find out what Vicente Moreno had to say about the result
- Take Kubo thanks fans for his Son Moix welcome
- Martin Valjent shares his thoughts on the draw
A subdued introduction to the game juxtaposed the raucous atmosphere at Son Moix, although a collective sigh of relief could be heard among the terraces when Raul Garcia’s free header landed straight at the feet of Pepe Reina.
The first half did not come to a close without Salva Sevilla first forcing a good save from Unai Simon before Iddrisu Baba failed to make telling contact with a whipped corner at the near post.
There was a certain swagger to Los Bermellones following Vicente Moreno’s team-talk at the break, and as opportunities began to appear with greater regularity, the deadlock was almost broken when Lagos Junior fired wide inside the box after Aleix Febas had caught the Athletic Bilbao off-guard with an inventive backheel.
The visitors soon reminded RCD Mallorca of their potency against the run of play as Reina was in fine form to tip Raul Garcia’s flick at the far post up into the air while Martin Valjent showed good awareness to clear a dangerous loose ball.
Take Kubo’s introduction and Abdon Prats’ return to football following his injury layoff were positive changes reflective of the manner in which RCD Mallorca were performing, further compounded by Salva Sevilla’s half-volley against the inside of the post.
Both substitutions wasted little time impacting matters as the Japanese winger’s quick feet lured Yuri Berchiche into fouling inside the box, giving Prats the chance to convert from 12-yards. The striker however was unfortunately unable to get his penalty on target.
A dramatic stoppage time would begin with fortune going against RCD Mallorca as after a long delay consulting VAR, referee González Fuertes ruled in favour of a handball by Baba. Former striker Aritz Aduriz, who had earlier received a commemorative plaque in honour of his last season in professional football from the club, was denied by Reina’s exceptional reflexes.
Raptures of relief soon turned to groans of despair as Moreno’s third introduction, Alex Alegría, poked Sevilla’s crossed free-kick home from a few yards only to have celebrations prematurely ended by the offside flag as a prolonged, yet bittersweet, additional time came to a close.
RCD Mallorca: Reina, Sastre, Raillo, Valjent, Baba Rahman, Salva Sevilla, Baba, Febas (83’), Dani Rodíiguez (63’), Lago Junior, Budimir (75’)
Substitutions: Take Kubo (63’), Abdon Prats (75’), Alex Alegria (83’)
Athletic Bilbao: Unai Simón, Yeray, I. Martínez, Yuri Berchiche., Capa, Muniain, Dani García, Córdoba (57’), Unai López (52’), Raúl García, Williams (84’)
Substitutions: Beñat (52’), Aduriz (57’), Larra (84’)
