So, Mallorca, in the relegation zone, yet another coach in charge, were at home to mid-tablers, Albacete. New coach (Pepe Gálvez), new beginning?
It was certainly a livelier Mallorca, with Brandon back and Gálvez putting faith in Bianchi upfront. Albacete offered little going forward, though Oriol needed to be alert when Portu was left one on one with Wellenreuther. Into the second half, and having had a couple of penalty appeals turned down in the first period, Mallorca finally won one, with a foul on Moutinho by Paredes. Step forward Bianchi, and the Italian placed the kick well for his first goal of the season.
Brandon, back from injury, was giving Mallorca an edge that former coach Ferrer could have done with in recent games, and he drew a save from Carlos following a Pereira cross. Then, when it looked as if Mallorca were taking their feet off the gas, it was Brandon who put them two-up with some twenty minutes left, a Costas pass having left him through on Carlos.
Albacete, leaving things rather late, forced a couple of corners, neither of them posing any threat, and instead Sastre spurning a possible third for Mallorca with just five minutes remaining.
Mallorca's next three matches (Gálvez having been given three games, including today's, to prove himself) are against sides in similar positions - Tenerife, Girona and Elche (two of them away). With this win under their belts, they have an opportunity to really turn the season around.
Mallorca
Wellenreuther; Campabadal, Costas, Truyols, Oriol; Yuste, Sabater (yellow 54 - Ros 56, yellow 69); Pereira (Sastre 76), Brandon, Moutinho (Fofo 79); Bianchi (yellow 32)
Albacete
Carlos; Corcoles (yellow 43), Gonzalo, Agus, Paredes (yellow 75); Ramos, Benito (Jason 64); Díaz (Ortiz 74), Portu, Samu (yellow 90+); Jona (Cruz 46)
Goals
Mallorca: Bianchi (51), Brandon (70)
Attendance: 8,889
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