Vedat Muriqi scored his 50th LaLiga goal for RCD Mallorca as we fell to a 2-1 defeat against Real Betis courtesy of Ez Abde and Cederic Bakambu’s first-half goals.
Jagoba Arraste opted for Matteo Joseph on the right wing while academy graduate David Lopez partnered Martin Valjent.
Marc Roca almost gave the visitors an early lead as the midfielder tried his luck from the halfway line with Leo Roman off his line following a weak clearance, although his effort struck the post and bounced clear.
Ez Abde struck in the 18th minute when he reacted first to volley home Leo Roman’s low block to deny Antony.
Real Betis would go into the break two goals ahead as Bakambu found was slipped through on goal by Antony and found the far corner in injury time.
We came out after the break the stronger side and pulled one back when Muriqi’s acrobatic header looped into the far corner.
We continued to throw players forward in a desperate attempt to find a later winner, while the visitors looked to hit us on the counter, forcing Leo Roman to have to save well in the closing stages.
Muriqi would have the best chance to level the scoreline with 10 minutes left on the clock although it was not meant to be as his volley flew over the crossbar.
LINE UPS:
RCD Mallorca: Leo Román; Maffeo, Valjent, David López, Mojica (Toni Lato, 82'); Samu Costa (Antonio Sánchez, 78'), Mascarell (Morlanes, 45'), Darder (Pablo Torre, 78'); Jan Virgili, Mateo Joseph (Luvumbo, 45') y Muriqi.
Real Betis: Álvaro Valles; Ruibal (Ortiz, 67'), Diego Llorente (Bartra, 45'), Natan, Ricardo Rodríguez; Marc Roca, Fidalgo (Altimira, 67'), Pablo Fornals; Ez Abde, Antony y Bakambu (Deossa, 89').
Goals: Ez Abde (min. 18), Bakambu (min. 47) y Muriqi (min. 66).
Referee: Isidro Díaz de Mera.
