Javier Aguirre’s team drew 0-0 against Alavés in a match where they lost the first half and the improvement in the second was not enough to win
He Real Mallorca prolongs results crisis after 0-0 draw against Deportivo Alavés in another function to forget. Aguirre’s eleven played the first half where they were and improved their performance in the second, but once again it was only enough for a sad draw which was of little use given the situation of the Balearic Islands. Once again Larin missed a clear chance to score and once again disappointment gripped the stands. There is no way to win. Only one victory in fifteen matches. Relegation numbers no matter how you look at it. This Mallorca is disintegrating little by little and continues to bleed day by day.
The best of the first half was the result and especially with a view to the second half, it would be impossible to do worse. Whatever happened after the break was bound to be better. Luis García Plaza’s tactical effort was like a film and he achieved his goal, dismantling Mallorca, forcing him to have the ball away from his area and at the same time preventing him from reaching it in danger. He neutralized Darder, as well as the wing play and from there he neutralized the red team who had no idea on the field and the bench provided no solution.
There is no need to go into details. The first act was one of the worst we have seen this season and even if during this season there were some absolutely pathetic matches. But the first half was a horror film told in slow motion. But among mediocrity there is always something positive and the best thing is that Alavés, being superior, did not score. This is what usually happens between teams with the right amount of talent. One doesn’t win at home and the other doesn’t win away. Tied at zero at the end of the first act. Of course, the main arrivals were those of an Alavés team which, too, was bored of the game. Because Mallorca matches usually carry mummies. A ball against the crossbar following a Gorosabel cross and Luis Rioja’s subsequent shot, which found a phenomenal response from Rajkovic, was the most striking event in attack for Luis García’s team.
Mallorca did not give any news because its possession was virtual, of the useless kind. He didn’t really have control in the center of the field and from there he couldn’t do it. Darder was unable to communicate with Samu and Mascarell and from there it was impossible to reach the danger zone of Abdón. The show ended in its first act with an inconsequential mid-range shot from Amath. Another burst of rage and helplessness to try to do damage. End of the first half and the sound of the wind. Like I said, whatever happened in the second half had to be better.
And it was. Mallorca took a step forward and, curiously, they did it with Larin on the pitch. Aguirre started him in place of Antonio Sánchez and he had the best chance of the match. The red eleven had more importance with the ball and at least demanded more from their rival. In the 48th minute, a shot from Darder inside the box forced Sivera to stop the ball with numerous problems in two halves. It was the first serious warning from the Balearic eleven.
Alavés was becoming small and Mallorca was trying to grow aggressively and in efficiency when approaching the rival zone. In the 60th minute, the best scoring opportunity arrived. A flight from the red team in the wide area ends with the ball on the media line and there Abdón makes a Laudrup-style pass and sends a measured ball for Larin’s quarry. The Canadian enters the zone and there, as always, the light goes out. Here we go. His low shot bounced off the goalkeeper. Like always.
Aguirre called on Morlanes for a very tired Samu Costa. Mallorca needed to recover the ball and transport it to the rival danger zone. Alavés took a step back, but the Balearic team could not take advantage. The face change in this second half is a simple makeup exercise. In the end a 0-0 draw and another disappointment. Aguirre’s team continues to disintegrate.
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