Real Mallorca 2-1 Barcelona

Football news predictions and bets rates the players on display at the ONO Estadi this afternoon as Real Mallorca defeated the champions...



REAL MALLORCA

Miguel Moya: 8.0 - Was helpless for Eto’o's opening goal, and pulled off a trio of excellent first-half saves from the Cameroon international to keep his side in the match. Also denied Hleb from close range in what was an excellent display from the stopper.

Josemi: 5.5 - Struggled to cope with the movement of the Barca front three, and his forays forward were culled with the exuberance of Bojan moving in from the flank.

Ivan Ramis: 5.0 – Eto’o was given the freedom of the Mallorca area to nod home in the first half, and Ramis simply could not contain him. He was given time and space to create chances, and but for his goalkeeper would have allowed Eto’o a hatful of goals. Poor.

Ayoze: 6.0 – Like his defensive partner, offered Barcelona’s attackers far too much space in and around the goal, and was dragged out of position on too many occasions.

Jose Luis Marti: 5.5 – Gave away controversial last-minute penalty by shoving Eto’o down in the area, and was relieved to see the hit-man strike the kick off of the post.

Cleber Santana: 7.0 – The Brazilian midfielder was in the right place at the right time to flick home the winning goal with his head, and gave a solid, all-round display.

Mario Suarez: 6.5 – Was slightly overrun by the energy of the Barcelona midfield in the first half, but came into the game in the second period and managed to drag his side back into the contest.

Aritz Aduriz: 5.5 – Was relatively anonymous this afternoon and gave Barcelona’s patchwork back four precious little to concern them. Not
the most productive of afternoons.

Jose Jurado: 6.0 – The tricky on-loan Atletico Madrid midfielder did his level best to get the ball down and attack, but found his possession limited and was unable to exert his influence on the match.

Juan Arango: 7.0 – Should have netted when he missed from close range, then showcased his ability by firing in a stunning free kick to level the match, which kick started Mallorca’s comeback.

Alhassane Keita: 6.5 – The focal point of Mallorca’s attack, Keita worked hard and his movement gave Caceres and Abidal concern, but didn’t get a clear chance on goal in the match.

Substitutes:

Fernando Varela: 5.0 - Came on with half an hour to go and played his part in his side's win

Pierre Webo: N/A

Osacar Trejo: N/A

BARCELONA

Oier Olazabal: 6.0 – The young ‘keeper made a stunning stop from Arango, but the same player beat him with an excellent strike, and he may feel he could have perhaps done a little better.

Daniel Alves: 6.0 – Alves was not his usual marauding self this evening, and when he did manage to venture forward his distribution in the final third was not up to his normally high standard.

Eric Abidal: 6.5 – Employed at centre half this afternoon as Pep Guardiola shuffled his pack, and did well until Mallorca came storming back and began to look culpable as the home side began to attack in droves.

Martin Caceres: 5.5 – The youngster was given a rare start tonight and showed why Guardiola has little faith in him by looking shaky and error prone.

Sylvinho: 6.0 – The veteran Brazilian was given match practice before his inevitable start against Manchester United due to Abidal’s suspension, and was solid if unspectacular.

Xavi Torres: 6.0 – Another protege from the Barcelona conveyor belt, and like his namesake, he stroked the ball around the pitch confidently and effortlessly, but gave Cleber Santana too much space to nod home the winning goal.

Aliaksandr Hleb: 7.0 – Much maligned for the majority of the season, he had one of his better games for the Blaugrana, bursting forward with the ball whenever possible and creating chances for the front three.

Eidur Gudjohnsen: 6.5 – The Iceland international’s Barcelona career may be coming to an end, but he remains a valuable squad player, and slotted nicely into the side this afternoon, rarely surrendering possession.

Bojan: 7.0 – An encouraging display from the young winger, who followed on from his cup final goal in midweek by beautifully creating Eto’o’s opener and always looked a threat.

Samuel Eto’o: 5.0 – Grabbed Barcelona’s goal in the first ten minutes, but then proceeded to miss at least four guilt-edged chances and should have had the match wrapped up for his side before Mallorca came storming back. His last minute penalty miss summed up his day.

Pedro: 5.5 – The winger was the least effective of Barcelona’s attacking players, and too often relinquished the ball, particularly when team-mates were in promising positions.

Substitutes:

Thiago: N/A - Came on for Gudjohnsen for the final 15 minutes