Espanyol blew candles in Mallorca for the 122 years that they contemplate him. An anniversary that unfortunately coincides with a match that describes the time of Chen Yansheng with a worrying accuracy. Diego Martínez's team saved a point, always living on the limit, thanks to one of those inexplicable plays so common this season. Another X file, the goal by Lazo, who for once fell on the blue and white side. At last karma pays its debts. But that the point is considered something positive describes the situation of the team. If he wants to beat the game, which would be equivalent to achieving salvation, Diego Martínez already knows that survival mode will not be enough.
In recent years the Mallorca-Espanyol had become bitter derbies, full of pending accounts and controversy. The departure of Vicente Moreno on his way to Cornellà and the duel to be promoted to First Division in 2020 made the players always put that plus that the fans like so much. But with the goodbye of both technicians, the passion and tension disappeared. Yesterday's meeting was nothing like the last, especially in the first act.
In the beginning nobody wanted to play it. That made the first part too bland an exercise. Mallorca always let Espanyol do. Aguirre's men didn't mind being dominated. On the contrary, they seemed to seek it. The Mexican knew that the Blue and Whites are not usually protagonists with the ball and rarely managed to overcome the rival's line of five. Espanyol gave the feeling of being that novice driver who has little gas left in the car and does not want to accelerate, lest he be left lying halfway. In short, the intended survival mode by Martínez.
The blue and white eleven was the same as against Elche, which made the feeling that the same players always play peremptory. Something that reflects the coach's lack of confidence in players who were already there and had to grow like Nico Melamed. The coach has barricaded himself in a group of 13 players in which he maintains confidence, and to whom he gives selective breaks when there is no other choice. A direct message to the box.
The blue and white house of cards collapsed very quickly at the restart. In one minute, Mallorca struck twice forcefully and the second time they did not forgive. Gio González won Brian Oliván's back, who was returning to what was his home until June, and Muriqi finished off without opposition from the mouth of the goal. Jaume Costa, with a free shot from the edge of the box, and Muriqi grazed the second shortly after. Everything came out to Mallorca in a Visit Estadi that lived a party.
At Espanyol's worst moment, Martínez brought on Lazo and Vidal to reinforce the play on the wings. And what happened next was something almost inexplicable. In his intention to cross, Lazo scored an incredible goal. From the front he crossed the ball until it slipped through the opposing squad. No one could believe it, not even Lazo himself, who gave himself away at the celebration by covering his hands with his face. The goal came from a mistake of his own. Without a doubt, karma returned one to Espanyol.
The goal returned virtue to Espanyol, but a point seemed like enough loot. This is how the nerves returned and Mallorca took advantage of it with a final offensive in which they asked for a penalty on Ángel. The parakeet team fought for the second time, which should celebrate for the point, but reflect on its trajectory.
1 - Mallorca: Rajkovic; Maffeo (Gio Gonzalez, 28th min), Raillo, Valjent, Copete (Angel, 86th min), Costa; Baba, Ruiz de Galarreta, Kang In Lee (Antonio Sanchez, 86th minute), Dani Rodriguez (Amath Ndiayye, 65th minute); Muriqi.
1 - Spanish: Lecomte; Óscar Gil, Sergi Gómez, Cabrera, Oliván; Darder, Vinicius Souza, Expósito (Lazo, min. 61); Braithwaite (Barek, min. 82), Joselu and Puado (Aleix Vidal, min. 61).
Goals: 1-0, min. 47: Muriqi; 1-1, min. 70: Lasso
Referee: Díaz de Mera (C. Castellano-Manchego). He expelled coach Javier Aguirre with a red card and Pablo Maffeo on the bench. He admonished the locals Ruiz de Galarreta (min. 46), Gío González (min. 75), Valjent (min. 94); to the visitor Sergi Darder (min. 78).
Incidents: Match corresponding to the twelfth day of LaLiga played at the Visit Mallorca Estadi before 13,982 spectators.
