They asked their team for the same version of the figure of James Rodríguez, some of that influence for the shows in the Spanish League, but it is not so simple. It’s a team sport and if everyone doesn’t shine, no one does.
Mallorca, which surpasses Rayo Vallecano in the LaLiga standings, asserted its superiority and, at home, managed to win 1-0, in a fairly even game, without major highlights but with the contribution of Colombia: 10 no. Mojica was one of the most significant.
Lots of precautions
The start was close, with the local team having to look for the back of the competition and the reaction of the visitors, filling their area and closing spaces from the whistle.
Navarro wanted a shot from above, barely deflected, and Mojica appeared after 10 minutes with an assist that Muriqui took just in front of him and then the winger offered himself constantly, without his teammates completing their exits well He made the mark, especially in one of Rayo’s few attempts, with Isi and the poisonous center he evacuated in time.
But in general it was a first episode of many precautions, many Rayo deployments trying to cover his ground and a few trips, almost always the aim of the counterattack, although Isis without Spark enough to take advantage of them .
At the end of the first half, Navarro missed the Mallorca goal on the first free ball in the area and in his double attempt he was denied the first shot by Batalla and then closed the angle well on the rebound. To the dressing room… and James’ turn?
Very tired on the 10th?
As a complement it was all Mallorca and after 2 minutes between Mojica and Darder and Larin they tested the good Batalla with powerful shots, and again Darder was encouraged although without enough aim.
In response, Íñigo Pérez put Ciss and Guardiola on the field and… the number 10 was warming up on the line, with bib overalls, not minding when the game asked whoever could hold the ball a little to stop the momentum of Mallorca determined to win.
. . saves
It took a while for the 10th to warm up and Mojica grew and Mallorca’s goal arrived: Muriqui took advantage of a seemingly unmarked corner kick and went alone to make it 1-0 in the 74th minute.
And it was James’ turn to wave the magic wand and stir up a confused attack from Rayo but Pérez’s team did not come back a single ball, who took risks in the changes and could not sustain the tie at least. He did as James asked, even chasing Mojica, but it was difficult to make a way out. At the end the home owner was even able to celebrate the score 2-0 but the VAR ruined the celebration.
The balance was good for Mallorca who are now in the European qualification zone, who are fifth in the table with 17 points, while Rayo are still ninth with 13.