Two rounds of matches remaining; two chances for Real Mallorca to escape the drop, but the first chance - at home to Granada - definitely needed to be taken.
Mallorca's early intent was rewarded on nineteen minutes when Cucho Hernández finished off a move that he had started from midfield with a thumping shot past Riu Silva in the Granada goal. There was a scare for Mallorca on 38 minutes when Pozo's clearance went awry and hit the post, but just before the break came the equaliser for Granada - Victor Díaz belting the ball in from outside the area.
Into the second half, and Salva Sevilla's 59th minute free kick struck the bar, and Kubo's shot five minutes later went just wide. On the 68th minute, poor defending from a corner led to Carlos Fernández making it two for Granada.
Serbian Aleksandar Sedlar, having substituted Raíllo in the centre of the Mallorca on 63 minutes, received a straight red fifteen minutes later. Lago Junior claimed a penalty (turned down) as the match went into added time. Mallorca, desperate for an equaliser, were wide open as a Granada counterattack led to what looked like a third from Puertas, but which was ruled out for offside. Not that it made any difference; Real Mallorca were relegated anyway.
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Agree with Harvey that maybe the two consecutive promotions were too much. To their credit many of the players who fought those battles gave it their best shot in La Liga, but on many occasions the team were not clever, or "streetwise" enough to cope with clubs settled in the first tier. I'm convinced Moreno did what he could with the players he had but tactically Mallorca seldom put opponents under real threat. Salva Sevilla and Dani Rodriguez deserve a special mention, class players who gave their all throughout the season, they looked absolutely "knackered" last night. Good luck for next season - whenever that will be!!
The owner has to take the blame, he didnt open the cheque book to sign players and was happy to be a one season wonder. The manager quit as he saw the lack of ambition. Getting out segunda could take a long time, Mallorca were lucky to get out last time through the playoffs. Sarver and Co should hang their heads in shame. They got relegated without trying.
Such a shame but not a surprise. As daft as it sounds the problem was getting promoted too quickly from the 3rd tier to the 1st. It was always going to be a tough job to avoid relegation but we wouldn't have had it any other way. Here's hoping for a good rebuild of the team with some decent signings and hopefully promotion again but with a stronger team....good luck lads