Mallorca 1 : 1 Athletic Bilbao - Bilbao scrap for Mallorca point

Posted Sunday, December 04, 2011 by PA

Real Mallorca and Athletic Bilbao shared the points in an ill-tempered 1-1 Primera Division draw at the Estadio Son Moix.

Mallorca striker Alvaro Gimenez got the home side off to a flying start when he scored the opening goal in the second minute before Fernando Amorebieta levelled for Athletic on the stroke of half-time.

The second half descended into a scrappy affair and there were 11 yellow cards in total during the match, seven to Mallorca and four to Athletic, as both sides pushed for much-needed points.

Athletic came into the game buoyed by their 2-1 win over Slovan Bratislava in the Europa League on Thursday night but they were unable to seal a victory, with the 1-1 draw boosting Mallorca into 14th place overall while Athletic remained in ninth.

Gimenez fired the first goal in under two minutes from the centre of the penalty area as the game sparked into life.

Michael Pereira almost doubled the home side's lead soon from a corner when Athletic goalkeeper Gorka Iraizoz fumbled a save before Casadesus Victor had his shot blocked by Amorebieta as Mallorca began to press.

Tomas Pina then had a speculative 25-yard shot blocked by Athletic defender Javi Martinez before Athletic had their first real chance via Markel Susaeta's strike just after half an hour.

However, the visitors managed to draw level at half-time when Amorebieta headed home from close range.

The defender got on to the end of Ander Herrera's cross to beat Mallorca goalkeeper Dudu Aouate.

After the break, Mallorca midfielder Fernando Tissone had a shot blocked by Iraizoz in the 50th minute in one of the few clear-cut chances of the half.

Tomer Hemed's shot was tipped around the post in the 89th minute by Iraizoz before Athletic almost scored the winner at the other end in a frantic last couple of minutes.

Amorebieta almost scored again but a desperate goal line clearance by Mallorca's Jose Chico ensured both sides had to settle for a point.