It was bottom against 19th in La Liga as Real Mallorca welcomed Celta Vigo to the Iberostar Estadi on Monday evening.
The home side looked the most likely to open the scoring in a tight first period, but neither could make the breakthrough before the interval.
The chances continued to fall in the second half, but we had to wait until the final minute of stoppage time for Giovani dos Santos to win it for Mallorca.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
Evening all! Week 31 in La Liga is completed as Mallorca welcome Celta to the Iberostar. The phrase ‘six-pointer’ has become of the most overused phrases in football, but this match certainly falls into that category. Due to the proximity at the bottom of the division, three points for either this evening could turn their season.
In terms of the recent meetings between the two sides, the points were shared in a 1-1 draw in the reverse match earlier in the season. Mallorca have enjoyed the best of the last five matches, however, winning twice to Celta’s one, with the other two ending in a draw. However, the pair have not met in this stadium since December 2006.
Mallorca have won two of their last five matches in the league, but a run of three without a victory has dropped them to the bottom of the table. As it stands, however, they are just four points from 17th position and will still harbour hopes of moving away from trouble. If that is to happen, they just need to pick up three points this evening.
Their home form will not fill them with too much confidence, however, with just four wins from their 14 matches on their own patch, losing seven times in the process. That said, their away form has been particularly poor with just two wins from 16, the second-worst total in the division. In truth, they have struggled in all departments.
TEAMS:
MALLORCA: Aouate; Hutton, Geromel, Kevin, Bigas; Marti, Marquez, Pina, Alfaro; Giovani, Hemed
CELTA VIGO: Varas; Tunez, Lago, Johny, Oubina; Fernandez, Insa, Vila, Lopez; Krohn-Dehli, Bermejo
So there we have it. No real surprises in the Mallorca side this evening, although Pedro Geromel does come into the defence alongside Kevin. Giovani dos Santos also starts, with the Mexican gaining support from Tomer Hemed. Celta, meanwhile, are still without leading scorer Iago Aspas, but Mario Bermejo pairs Michael Krohn-Dehli in attack.
Celta sit just one place above their opponents this evening. They too are four points from safety, but the loser of tonight’s match will indeed drop to the bottom of the table. However, they have the worst away record in the league having taken just four points from a possible 15 matches, winning just once in that period.
Taking a closer look at the bottom half of the table, there are just five points separating 16th-placed Deportivo La Coruna from the bottom of the table. Even Osasuna on 31 points are not quite out of the equation. The top of the table might be done and dusted, but it promises to be an enthralling end to the campaign down the other end.
Taking a look at the numbers, it is not difficult to see where Mallorca have struggled this season. They have conceded 63 times in their 30 matches, which along with Deportivo, is the worst record in the division. Celta, meanwhile, have conceded 45 times, just 12 more than Barcelona. Down the other end, the numbers are quite similar with Celta scoring 29 goals to Mallorca’s 32.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch ahead of kickoff. The pre-match handshakes have been undertaken and the flags have been exchanged, just about time for my prediction. It is difficult to separate these two sides, as the league table suggests, but I think Mallorca will just nick it this evening.
Just a reminder of the main team news this evening. No Fontas for the home side this evening, but Pedro Geromel does indeed start in the middle of defence. There are also places for Giovani and Hemed. Celta, meanwhile, prefer Bermejo to Chu-young Park in attack. Right, the away side get the action underway.
It is west meets east in Spain this evening. There may not be much between the two sides in the league table, but that is not the case in distance. This is quite comfortably the biggest match of the season for both of these teams. Let's hope that we see some real courage from both sides in this match. Fairly scrappy opening to proceedings.
Not a full house inside the stadium this evening, but there is certainly a good atmosphere. Not too much to report in the opening four minutes of the match with neither side taking too much care in possession of the ball. You just get the feeling that the first goal - if there indeed is one - will be vital in this type of match.
Good spell of possession for Mallorca with Pina and Alfaro both seeing plenty of the ball. A searching pass from the latter comes close to finding Hemed, but Javi Varas is out to quell the danger at the vital moment. Celta attempt to advance down the other end with Bermejo, but the Spaniard cannot keep the ball.
You do fear for both of these sides with some tough fixtures coming up. It really has been a horror season for Mallorca, who have finished in the top 10 in four of the last six seasons. Celta were expected to struggle this season, but the loss of Aspas has just dropped them into serious trouble. Good atmosphere inside the stadium, but we still await the first piece of real action with eight minutes on the clock.
It's bright work from Fernandez as the Argentine evades two challenges before winning a throw for the away side. The resulting set piece is dropped into the box, but Aouate is out to make the save under pressure from Bermejo. Neither side has really got to grips with the conditions thus far on this mild evening in Mallorca.
The home side want a penalty as Lago appears to handle in the box, but the referee is not interested, with replays suggesting that he did indeed make the correct decision. Mallorca force the issue moments later as Giovani fires a low cross into the box, but it just would not fall for Hemed, whose outstretched leg failed to make contact.
Hemed is again the target for the home side as Giovani whips another cross into the box, but Lago rises to make the clearance. A half-chance arrives moments later as Hutton finds Alfaro on the edge of the box, but his effort is deflected wide for a corner, which is headed clear by Tunez. The match is just starting to open up.
Hutton's presence down the right also causes concern to Celta as the on-loan Aston Villa defender fires a cross into the box, but Varas comes through traffic to claim under pressure from Hemed. Celta just cannot get out of their own half at the moment as the ball continues to evade the likes of Bermejo and Krohn-Dehli.
The pressure continues to come from the home side as Bigas floats a dangerous cross into the box, but Johny rises to clear under pressure from Hemed, whose presence is causing all sorts of problems. Celta attempt to launch a break down the other end with Bermejo, but the striker is felled by Pina. Celta really need to enjoy a period of the ball.
It must be said that Mallorca have played the better football in the opening 21 minutes of the match, but the fact that we have had not had a single attempt on goal tells you everything that you need to know about the quality in the final third thus far. In fairness to the home supporters, they are creating some noise inside the stadium. Mallorca continue to enjoy possession, but still no real attacking intent from either side.
Slightly untidy period of the match in the last few minutes with the referee forced to deal with a number of challenges. It is safe to say that Hutton has not pulled out of any tackles in the opening 23 minutes of this match. Mallorca once more force the issue with Giovani, but the Mexican's cross is straight into the arms of Varas.
CHANCE! The clearest opportunity by some distance falls to the away side as Lopez collects possession in the box before advancing towards the goalkeeper, but somehow he fires his effort well wide of the post. Mallorca wanted offside, but the Spaniard was level with the last defender. He simply had to score.
Celta have just started to come out of their shell in the last few minutes as they enjoy more of the ball. However, a loose pass from Lago gains the defender the first yellow card of the match for a poor challenge on Alfaro. It is not difficult to see why both of these sides have struggled to score goals this season.
Another half-chance comes to the away side as Fernandez floats a dangerous cross into the box, but Aouate comes out to collect under pressure from Bermejo. You can almost sense the nervousness inside the stadium as the home side continue to had away possession in the final third. Little over 15 minutes of the first period remaining.
First real chance for the home side to test the opposition goalkeeper as Hemed is felled by Tunez just outside the penalty area. The resulting free kick is taken by Giovani, but his effort is pushed away by the flying Varas. Good effort, good save. That has certainly raised the crowd as we approach the latter stages of the first period.
The tempo of the match has just slowed in the last few minutes with both sides guilty of giving away a host of challenges. Another free kick arrives for Mallorca moments later, but once more Varas is on hand to make the clearance. Two wonderful efforts from Giovani, but it is good goalkeeping from Varas.
Not too much to report in the last couple of moments with Mallorca enjoying possession of the ball. Hutton remains a threat on the right as he cuts inside before driving a low cross into the box, but once more the final pass is short of the required quality. A corner does follow, but Varas punches clear, before a long cross is cleared by Natxo Insa.
The home side continue to force the issue in the latter stages of the first period with Hutton enjoying a successful game down the right, but he just cannot find a teammate in the box. Giovani is involved moments later as he drives down the left, but Fernandez is across to foul the Mexican. Poor discipline from the away side in the last few minutes.
A really bright cross from Giovani causes problems in the Celta box, but Alfaro can only head over the crossbar. You just get the feeling that Mallorca are going to come unstuck if they continue to give away fouls in and around their penalty area. Little under five minutes of football remaining in the first period.
Mallorca continue to force the issue with a two corners in quick succession, but the first is palmed over by Varas before Hemed heads the second over the crossbar. You just get the feeling that the home side need to score during this spell of pressure. Little under two minutes of the first period remaining.
Giovani is again involved for the home side as he fires another dangerous cross into the box, but once more the danger is headed clear. He has been the brightest spark this evening. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional minute at the end of the first period.
HALF-TIME: Mallorca 0-0 Celta Vigo
So there we have it. The referee brings the first period to an end with the two sides level at 0-0. Mallorca have looked the most likely to open the scoring, but Celta have also had their moments, with Lopez going close after 25 minutes. It is so delicately poised ahead of the second period.
STATISTICS: The home side have dominated the possession with 61%, while they have had six attempts to Celta's one. That said, the away side's one chance, which came to Lopez, was the best opportunity of the first period. Giovani has had some good efforts from distance, but Varas has been largely untroubled.
BENCH WATCH: The home side are not blessed with attacking options on the bench, although they do have the likes of Michael Pereira and Fernando Tissone in reserve. Meanwhile, Andreu Fontas is a defensive option. Celta have on-loan Arsenal striker Park waiting in the wings, while former Chelsea striker Kike de Lucas is also on the bench.
Here we go then. Both sets of players join us on the pitch for the second period. As it stands, Mallorca would remain bottom of the table on 25 points, Celta would have the same, but would sit in 19th due to their superior goal difference. No changes for either side at the interval. The home side get the action underway.
Good start to the second half from the home side as they enjoy a period of possession. Eventually Giovani forces the issue as he collects a pass from Hemed before driving a low cross into the box, but Varas is out to make the clearance. What a 45 minutes of action we have ahead of us.
Again it's good work from Giovani as the Mexican drives past two players before being felled by Alex Lopez. Once more the resulting free kick is taken by the Mexican, but his effort is deflected behind for a corner. The resulting set piece is taken by Pina, but Varas comes through a crowd of players to clear.
Not too much for the away supporters to get excited about at the moment as the home side continue to dominate possession of the ball. It is the type of match that could be won by just the single goal. A half-chance comes for Celta as Fernandez strikes an effort from outside the box, but it was always moving high and wide of the crossbar.
Another half-chance for the away side as Insa whips a dangerous cross into the box, Aouate makes a bit of a meal of it, but is able to gain control. A similar opportunity arrives moments later from a Krohn-Dehli cross, but Bermejo just cannot make proper contact. Still no sign of the opening goal this evening.
Celta again force the issue as Vila meets another cross from Krohn-Dehli, but he can only turn wide of the crossbar. Celta have had their moments in this match, but they have been few and far between. Still no movement on either bench, although I expect that to change in the next 10 minutes or so.
Really scrappy period of the match in the last couple of moments with neither side taking too much care in possession of the ball. Giovani remains the main avenue for the home side as he drives down the left before finding Marti on the edge of the box, but his effort is high and wide of the crossbar. Little over 30 minutes of football remaining.
End-to-end football in the last couple of moments as Krohn-Dehli again causes concern with a dangerous cross into the box, but once more there are no takers. You do wonder whether we will see Park in the latter stages, who is good in the air. A 0-0 draw would be a poor result for both of these sides make no mistake about that.
Half-chance for Hemed this time as the powerful striker attempts to meet a long pass from Marquez, but the bounce just deceived the forward, allowing Varas to come and collect. Hemed is involved moments later, but his powerful drive is deflected over the crossbar. That spell of pressure has certainly raised the home supporters.
Oh my word. Some controversy here. Celta want a penalty as Bermejo appears to be hauled down in the box, but the referee is not interested. Replays have suggested that the Spaniard was indeed pulled down by Kevin. What a big decision in the context of this match. However, that period of pressure has appeared to raise the away side. We now have a real game on our hands.
Both sides continue to commit players to each attack, but the quality in the final third is just not there. Whether that is a cross or a pass into the box, it just isn't happening for either team. Half-chance for Celta as Oubina meets a corner from Krohn-Dehli, but he can only thump his effort over the crossbar.
Giovani is again the main threat for the home side as he collects a loose ball outside the box before driving towards goal, but Varas is out to collect at the vital moment. In truth, the Mexican has been quite comfortably the best player on the pitch this evening. Whatever happens, he will have plenty of suitors in the summer.
CHANCE! Another fine chance for the away side as Tunez meets a cross from Krohn-Dehli, but Aouate is out to make a quite sensational save. You just get the feeling that there is a goal in this match. Still no movement on either bench as we enter the final 20 minutes of proceedings. You can just sense the tension inside the stadium.
The first change of the match is indeed made as Alex Lopez is replaced by Fabian Orellana for Celta. The attacker will certainly provide some pace and invention in the final third. Neither team is really in control of the possession at the moment as the game continues to flow from end to end. Little over 15 minutes of football remaining.
The home side make two changes of their own as Tissone and Pereira replace Moreno and Marti. Neither side is shirking the responsibility of attacking in the latter stages. Not too much to report in the last few moments, however, as late challenges continue to interrupt the flow of the match.
It's good work from Orellana as the Celta attacker collects possession outside the box before thumping an effort towards the top corner, but it was always rising high and wide of the crossbar. You cannot separate these two sides as we approach the final 10 minutes of football. I think it would be safe to say one goal at this stage wins the match.
It's good work from Hutton as the Scot rises highest in the penalty area, but his header was always moving high and wide of the crossbar. Meanwhile, Celta make their second change of the match as Bermejo is replaced by Park. One powerful striker for another. Both managers have one change remaining if they should wish to use them. Little over 10 minutes of football remaining.
CHANCE! Sensational chance for the home side as Alfaro collects a pass from Tissone before attempting to bend his effort into the bottom corner, but Varas is across to make a fine save. What a chance on the counter attack. Celta advance down the other end with Orellana, but Hutton is across to clear.
It's really bright goalkeeping from Aouate as the Mallorca goalkeeper comes to collect a cross from Park before releasing Tissone on the counter. The Argentine finds Pereira down the right, who fires a low cross towards Alfaro, but the Spaniard just could not collect. Little over five minutes of football remaining.
Celta make their third and final change of the match as Pranjic replaces Krohn-Dehli, who has struggled to influence proceedings this evening. Mallorca also make a change as Arizmendi replaces Alfaro. Both teams have played all their cards. Will we have a winner in the final moments?
Slight problem for Lago here as the Celta defender hits the deck under contact from Pina, but the Spaniard manages to pick himself up for the final stages of this match. Not too much to report in terms of chances in the last few minutes, but Mallorca remain the side in the ascendancy.
Half-chance for Pereira as he meets a bouncing ball on the edge of the box, but his effort flashes wide of the post. Celta just cannot get out of their own half at the moment, but they continue to quell the danger. Meanwhile, the fourth official indicates that we will play an additional three minutes and we are indeed into the first of those.
Aouate continues to launch high balls into the Celta penalty area, but Celta once more clear the danger. Giovani attempts to force the issue as he drives a low cross towards a host of bodies, but a blue shirt makes contact. Little under one minute of stoppage time remaining. This one is almost over.
GOAL! Mallorca 1-0 Celta (Giovani)
Oh my word! Giovani wins it with the last kick of the match as he pounces on a loose ball in the box before firing home from close range. It just had to be him. What a moment for the Mexican.
FULL-TIME: Mallorca 1-0 Celta Vigo
Incredible, just incredible. The Celta players trudge off the pitch knowing that they have now dropped to the bottom of the table. Thanks for joining Sports Mole for the action. Good evening!
Written by
Matt Law
Matt Law
