Mallorca take points from lowly Zaragoza

Posted Sunday, December 11, 2011 by PA

Real Mallorca's Victor ramped up the pressure on beleaguered Real Zaragoza coach Javier Aguirre as his solitary goal condemned the Primera Division's bottom club to a 1-0 defeat.

Having gone into the game under fire owing to a run of seven games without a win, the Argentinian coach was well aware of how important a positive result was for his side.

The Blanquillos were unable to give their coach anything to smile about, though, barely creating a chance at La Romareda, raising further questions about how much longer the 53-year-old former Mexico coach will be given to turn things around.

Having gained a draw from their re-arranged clash with Granada in midweek, Mallorca started confidently, with Alvaro Gimenez planting a left-footed shot just wide of Roberto Jiminez's post.

That early effort apart, though, chances were few and far between and almost 30 minutes had passed by the time Ruben Micael's 25-yard drive was kept out by visiting keeper Dudu Aouate.

That kicked Mallorca back into life and Giminez powered a drive against the bar from just inside the area, laying the platform for his side to take the lead six minutes before the break, when Victor ghosted in to get a touch on a Pablo Caceres cross from the left.

Aguirre threw on Luis Garcia and Franco Zuculini at the break in a bid to freshen his side up, but the effects were not obvious as Mallorca started the second half the better, with Michael Pereira hitting wide.

Los Bermellones appeared happy to hold what they had and welcomed pressure on to them, before breaking it up with ease and clearing down field as the home fans' frustrations grew.

Joaquin Caparros' men thrived on the tension and looked dangerous on the break, with Emilio Nsue testing Jiminez, while Victor went close to adding a second of his own.

So insipid was Zaragoza's performance, that all the late chances fell to the away side, with Victor again going close in time added on.