A hard-fought battle at Estadio de Son Moix concluded with RCD Mallorca and Deportivo Alavés sharing the spoils after a 1-1 draw on Sunday, March 2, 2025. The outcome leaves both teams seeking more clarity on their respective paths – Mallorca aiming for European qualification, and Alavés fighting to escape relegation.
Takuma Asano opened the scoring for Mallorca with a stunning goal, setting the pace for the first half. Just as the home team looked comfortable, Alavés turned up the pressure eventually equalizing through Kike García. While both teams showed flashes of brilliance, the match highlighted the stark need for more consistency from both sides.
The atmosphere was palpable from the start, as fans gathered to witness what was pivotal for both teams—Mallorca, who aimed to maintain their position close to the European spots, and Alavés, who were fighting valiantly against the drop. Coach Jagoba Arrasate had stated before the match, "What works almost never gets touched," accurately depicting his strategy of sticking with the winning lineup up to this point, apart from enforced changes.
Early on, Mallorca looked the more dangerous of the two teams. It didn’t take long for them to hit the back of the net when, just ten minutes after kickoff, Takuma unleashed a phenomenal volley, sending the ball past Alavés goalkeeper Antonio Sivera from just inside the area, sending the home crowd wild. This was just the kind of start Mallorca needed to capitalize on their home advantage.
Despite falling behind, Alavés did not roll over. They gradually began to assert themselves and create opportunities, but their finishing left much to be desired. A series of missed chances typified their struggle throughout the first half, as they found it difficult to penetrate the well-organized Mallorca defense.<\/p>
Halftime saw Mallorca leading comfortably, yet it was evident the balance could shift, especially seeing how both sides reacted when under pressure. The two teams emerged for the second half, with Alavés going all out for the equalizer.
Both sides made changes as the intensity ramped up. Alavés coach Eduardo Coudet made several adjustments, seeking to inject fresh energy as Kike García entered the fray to try and change the game's momentum. His impact was noticeable, and Alavés began to dictate pace more fervently.
The turning point came when Alavés executed their strategy effectively. Kike García, who had been on the pitch for just over 60 minutes, found himself at the right place at the right time, tapping home from close range following frantic attempts to clear the ball from the Mallorca defense which fell right onto his feet. This levelled the match, igniting hopes for the visitors.
“The point we went to look for, and we had a very good second half,” Coudet later remarked, reflecting positively on his team’s display. Yet the game was far from over, with both teams exchanging chances to snatch all three points.
Mallorca, still seeking to regain their lead, saw multiple opportunities go begging, with shots from Vedat Muriqi and Abdón Prats testing Sivera late on, but he was equal to the task, showcasing his talents and reaffirming Alavés' need for defensive solidity.
Despite significant pressure, Mallorca held their breathing room as Sivera intervened spectacularly time and again, with his reflex saves preserving the draw. The game concluded without either side being able to secure victory—a disappointing outcome for Mallorca who failed to capitalize on their first-half dominance.
With both teams seeing the positives and negatives, Carlos Martín succinctly summed up the sentiments around the game when he stated, “We had to win; we know we are in a complicated situation. Evaluar point and keeping on fighting,” capturing the urgency both teams feel as the LaLiga season progresses.
Both coaches will have much to reflect upon after leaving Son Moix. Mallorca, who now has one eye on Europe, will need greater conversion from their advantage moments. Alavés, on the other hand, must build upon their second-half resurgence, realizing their aspirations of staying up depend on such performances moving forward.