We were unlucky to fall to a 2-1 defeat to Villarreal as we returned to LaLiga action following the international break.
Jagoba Arrasate introduced Antonio Sanchez to the right wing while Mateo Joseph was selected to lead the forward line.
We did not get off to the best of starts as Gerard Moreno gave the hosts the lead in the sixth minute when he capitalised on a loose ball in the box to stab home from close range.
We provided an instant response as Samu Costa found space inside the box and found the bottom corner from a difficult angle two minutes later.
The frenetic opening to the game continued as in the 22nd our high press resulted in a turnover in possession in Villarreal’s box, although Mateo Joseph was denied from close range.
The remainder of the first half provided few opportunities for either side as we headed into the break level.
Despite a lack of chances for either side, the hosts thought they had had a stroke of luck when a penalty was awarded in the 75th minute for what appeared to be a foul by Antonio Raillo, but following a VAR review, the decision was overturned.
Tani Oluwasey found the winner in the 83rd minute when Raillo did well to block a low cross across the box, but the Villarreal forward reacted first to the loose ball and scored.
We head back to the island with our eyes now firmly set on welcoming Osasuna to Son Moix.
LINE-UPS
Villarreal CF: Júnior R.; Rafa Marín (Buchanan, 80'), Gerard Moreno (Pape Gueye 63'), Renato Veiga, Santi C.V., T. Partey (Oluwaseyi, 63'), Pepe, Moleiro (Solomon, 74'), Ayoze (Mikautadze, 63') Pedraza, Pau Navarro.
RCD Mallorca: Bergström; Mascarell (Javi Llabrés, 86'), Antonio Sánchez (Morlanes, 86'), Samu, Jan Virgili (Vedat Muriqi, 74', Mateo Joseph (Asano, 86'), Pablo Torre, Raíllo, Johan Mojica, Maffeo, Valjent.
Goals: Gerard Moreno (6'), Samu Costa (8'), Tani (83').
