Mallorca lost one to zero against Albacete in a game without many scoring chances, but where the locals squeaked by after heading in the only chance of the game. It was a feisty encounter, with a lot of play down the middle of a field soaked in rain. The locals began strong, conscious of what was at stake and came out with more intensity than they had in the first occasion with Vazquez men. But in the 5th minute, a poorly cleared corner kick fell to Oscar Diaz, who could not quite hook the ball.
The men in white sought to confine the Mallorcans with quick switches and patient possession, but the Mallorcans responded with swift counter-attacks and direct target play. Albacete barked with no bite, and shot from distance well-over Cabrero’s crossbar.
Mallorca, though, waited until the final minutes of the half to attempt anything on goal, which also came without a sting. Aveldano headed at goal in the 36th minute, and Ortuno shot from distance in the 39th.
The second half started with the same script, but with possession more even. The game hovered in the middle of the field, and neither team enjoyed any clear chances. As the minutes passed, the game broke open and each team generated a few more chances, but without real danger.
All changed in the 70th minute when on the counter, with a ball floated into the area, the locals bounced ahead off of the head of Ruben Cruz. The Mallorca forward line probed the opponent’s area seeking a draw.
Albacete parked the bus in front of its goal, and Mallorca tried, but couldn’t break through. In fact, Albacete could have killed the game in the 85th minute, when a miscommunication between Aveldano and Cabrera left Portu alone in front of goal, but his header rebounded off the post.
The final minutes were played on the locals’ half, but despite the effort, the scoreboard did not change until the referee whistled the meeting over.
