Takuma Asano’s first goal for the club helped us to a 1-1 draw against Alaves at Estadi Mallorca Son Moix.
Jagoba Arrasate replaced the injured Johan Mojica with Toni Lato at left back while former RCD Mallorca defender Alexander Sedlar was on the bench for the visitors.
We couldn’t have wished for a better start as we took the lead in style in the ninth minute when Asano struck a first-time volley into the top corner from the edge of the box.
Vedat Muriqi was next to try his luck in the 20th minute when he spun his marker and fired wide of the far post by a matter of inches.
Our striker was to be denied again six minutes later when he raced through on goal and lifted the ball over the on-rushing keeper but just wide of the post.
We were unlucky not to double our lead before the break and headed into the dressing room with the advantage.
The visitors started the second half the stronger side and forced Dominik Grief into a series of saves.
Muriqi continued to be a threat and forced the opposition’s stopper into a smart block from close range.
Kike Garcia levelled in the 68th minute when he raced in at the back post to finish a driven ball across the box.
Samu Costa went close in injury time with a diving header but his effort went into the side netting as we had to settle for a point.
Line-ups
RCD Mallorca (1): Greif, Mascarell, Copete, Muriqi (Larin, min 76), S. Darder (Abdón, min. 76), Asano (Navarro, min. 66), Dani Rodríguez (Antonio Sánchez, min. 76), A. Raillo, J. Mojica, Maffeo, Valjent.
Deportivo Alavés (1): Sivera, Tenaglia, Abqar, Mouriño, Manu Sánchez (Garcés, min. 81), Antonio Blanco, Joan Jordan (Diarra, min. 81), Carlos Martín, Aleñá, Carlos Vicente (Guevara, min. 81) y Kike García (Toni Martínez, min. 71).
Goals: 1-0 Takuma Asano (min. 9): 1-1 Kike García (min. 68).
