Sevilla vs Mallorca Match Preview
“Sevilla are in the zone where they belong, a Europa League spot”, said Mallorca-coach Michael Laudrup about his upcoming opponent on Friday. “They play at home, there will be a good atmosphere so we’ll have to do very well to stand a chance.” Laudrup does not look up as his main goal seems to be staying out of relegation trouble, although his team is in a safe looking tenth spot at the moment. “It’s better to have fifteen points at this stage than nine. We must look at our points total not at our ranking.”
For Sevilla coach Gregorio Manzano the ficture against Mallorca is a special one. Last year he led the Balearic club to the fifth place and a ticket for the Europa League. Despite this excellent performance his contract was not renewed due to financial trouble at the club. Manzano then moved to Sevilla to replace the fired Antonio Álvarez.
Sevilla vs Mallorca Match Report
Gregorio Manzano's Sevilla failed to secure the full scoring against Mallorca and was left behind the European qualification line by Atletico Madrid. Mallorca reached the eighth position with 18 points. Michael Laudrup's Barralets can now dream with showing their worth throughout the whole continent.
Antonio Palop's return was decisive for Sevilla to survive the first minutes of the game, as Pierre Webo and Chori Castro were a recurrent nightmare for Sevilla defense.
Michael Pereira opened the score in the 35th minute after an excellent collective attack. Gregorio Manzano assumed a more offensive strategy for the second half, calling Brazilian international Luis Fabiano to join Frederic Kanoute and Antonio Negredo on the attack.
Fabiano himself score the equalizer three minutes away from the final whistle. Mallorca claimed the full scoring thanks to Webo who gave the visitors the advantage in the last minute of the game after De Guzman's brilliant execution of a free kick.