Real Sociedad vs Mallorca preview - Castro calls for more of the same from Mallorca

Posted Sunday, February 26, 2012 by PA

Real Mallorca winger Chori Castro acknowledges his side will have little problem securing their top-flight status if they can continue to perform like they did against Villarreal last time out, but has warned against complacency.

Mallorca climbed up to 13th spot in the standings after thrashing Villarreal 4-0 at home and they now boast a five-point buffer over the relegation zone.

However, with just seven points separating Athletic Bilbao in fourth place with Villarreal in 17th, Castro knows there is little room for error as the fight to avoid the drop hots up.

"In the second half of the season all the teams are pushing hard for points and the standings get a lot tighter, so we cannot let our concentration slip," said the Uruguay international.

"That's true, but every game is different and every opponent is different. We have make ourselves strong at home and pick up victories in whatever way we can," he added in AS.

"Against Villarreal we had a good game and we got the three points. Against Betis (1-0 home win), the match wasn't as attractive, but we achieved the objective of the three points."

Mallorca's win over Villarreal saw them move one point above Sunday's opponents Real Sociedad, who were thumped 4-1 by Granada in their last match.

Sociedad will also have bad memories of their last meeting with Mallorca when they were knocked out of the Copa del Rey in remarkable fashion last month.

The Basque side looked to be cruising through when, after winning the first leg 2-0, they took an early lead in the return meeting in Mallorca.

However, Mallorca staged a remarkable recovery as, inspired by a brace from Castro, they scored six times in a 24-minute spell either side of half-time to claim a 6-3 aggregate victory.

Sociedad coach Philippe Montanier said of Sunday's encounter: "It's a very important game, because after losing away from home you always have a bigger obligation to win, especially if you are against a direct rival.

"Mallorca have quality players. It will be a difficult game.

"As for what happened in the cup, for me that has to be an added motivation for us, because it was a very tough moment for everyone. Personally it was the toughest since I arrived here.

"But the objective is to have a good game now and get the three points."