Real Mallorca had a morale-boosting opening-game win of the new season, when they finally overcame a spirited Peralada on Sunday. The first half saw the newly promoted home side force five corners in 20 minutes, but the resolute Mallorca defence stood firm as they soaked up the pressure. This was the first game Real Mallorca had played in Segunda B for 36 years and getting out of this division is going to be very difficult, which meant the Palma side needed to get off to the best possible start. And after a tricky beginning, things went our way.
After the break, Mallorca's footballing superiority began to show. Lago Junior had an outstanding game and was head and shoulders the best player on the pitch. I've a feeling the Ivorian's going to have lumps kicked out of him this season so it's imperative he stays injury free.
Mallorca continued to push forward in the second half. After a move down the right, the ball finished just outside the area where Javier Bonilla fired home the winner in the 61st minute. Signed from Pontevedra in July, the full back looked to be a good acquisition. Coach Vicente Moreno moved players around towards the end of the game but by that time Peralada had run out of gas.
The win was made that bit sweeter after arch rivals At. Baleares lost one-nil to Villarreal B on Saturday night. There's no doubt when Moreno introduced Abdon Prats and Bryan Reina during the second half our attacking play improved. Once again the young Peruvian Reina looked a real prospect and the way he turns on the after-burners when going past defenders is impressive.
Mallorca's owner Robert Sarver was at the game and sat in the tiny main stand. Afterwards he went to congratulate the team on a job well done. Any doubts that Mallorca's American owner was losing interest went out the window when he travelled to the game with the team and stayed overnight in the same hotel. There was even a photo of him queuing up for the gents at the ground's only male toilet. It must have been a real reality check for the owner of the Phoenix Suns who are worth millions and are watched by millions. He witnessed first hand how the other end of the sporting spectrum operates.
Coach Moreno put things into perspective at the post-match press conference when he said “We got off to a good start but we must keep our feet on the ground, it's a long season ahead.”