RCD Mallorca’s first away game of the campaign ended in a 2-0 defeat to Valencia CF as two penalties proved to be the decisive factors at La Mestalla.
- Find out what the boss had to say after the defeat
- Salva Sevilla shared his thoughts with the press post-match
Los Bermellones were unlucky not to have taken the lead just eight minutes into the match when Joan Sastre’s low drive was palmed by Jasper Cillessen into the path of Ante Budimir, who then struck the underside of the cross bar from a few yards out, before Dani Rodríguez latched onto the loose ball and had his effort blocked with the goal gaping.
Fortune sadly sided with the hosts again on the 22nd minute when Lago Junior’s low drive hit the post following a clever shimmy onto his right foot from the flank.
Vicente Moreno’s team held their shape and looked dangerous on the counter following early let-offs for Valencia CF, who only had only managed to muster half-chances for Kevin Gameiro and Daniel Parejo come the half-hour mark.
Los Ches’ midfielder would however break the deadlock from the penalty spot after Antonio Raíllo brought down Francis Coquelin in the box on the stroke of half-time despite what had been an encouraging first 45 minutes.
Twelve minutes into the second half the hosts doubled their advantage with another Parejo penalty after the referee adjudged Lagos Junior had handled in the box while competing with Coquelin for a header in the box.
Missed headers from Budimir and Lago Junior, in addition to first appearances for Yannis Salibur and Takefusa Kubo, were the few moments of note throughout the remaining period as Valencia CF held onto their lead.
RCD Mallorca: Reina, Sastre, Valjent, A. Raíllo, Lumor Agbenyenu, Baba, Salva Sevilla, Febas (64’), Dani Rodríguez (64’), Lago Junior, Ante Budimir (79’)
Substitutes: Parera, Xisco Campos, Pedraza, Yannis Salibur (64), Aleksandar Trajkovski (64), Pablo Chavarria, Takefusa Kubo (79’)
Valencia CF: Cillessen, Wass, Diakhaby, Garay, Gayá, Parejo, Coquelin, Gonçalo Guedes, Ferrán (73’), Rodrigo (64), Gameiro (83’)
Substitutes: Domenech, J. Costa, Gabriel Paulista, Kondogbia, Chéryshev (73’), Lee Kang-In (83’), M. Gómez (64’)
Goals: Daniel Parejo (43’, 57’)
