We were unfortunate to fall to a 2-1 defeat to Rayo Vallecano in our first away game of the new year.
Jagoba Arrasate opted for Toni Lato in front of Johan Mojica on the left flank while Marash Kumbulla started in central defence in place of Antonio Raillo.
We could not have wished for a worse start as Jorge de Frutos put the finishing touch to a low cross across goal in the fourth minute.
We pulled level in the 31st minute when Lato whipped a teasing cross into the box following a turnover in possession in the final third and found Vedat Muriqi who made no mistake with a powerful header.
The hosts would go into the break a goal ahead as Martin Valjent was penalised for a stray arm in the 41st minute in the box and Isi made no mistake from the result spot kick.
We came out in the second half the better side but were unable to create anything in the final third due to resilient defending.
We would take a numerical advantage in the 78th minute as Oscar Valentin received his marching orders for a studs-up challenge on Pablo Torre.
While we would chase a late equaliser with the likes of Abdon, Mateo Joseph and Javier Llarbes coming on, we would not find a late leveller and headed back to the island empty handed.
LINE-UPS:
Rayo Vallecano: Batalla; Ratiu (Balliu, 38), Lejeune, Mendy, Chavarría; Óscar Valentín, Pedro Díaz (Pacha Espino, 69'), Isi; Jorge de Frutos (Gumbau, 69'), Carlos Martín (Fran Pérez, 80') and Álvaro García (Nteka, 80').
RCD Mallorca: Leo Román; Maffeo (Llabrés 81'), Valjent, Kumbulla, Mojica; Samu Costa (Abdón, 81'), Omar Mascarell (Sergi Darder, 70'), Antonio Sánchez (Pablo Torre, 70'), Toni Lato (Mateo Joseph, 58'); Jan Virgili and Vedat Muriqi.
Goals: De Frutos (min. 4), Muriqi (min. 30) and Isi (min. 42).
