Athletic Bilbao 2-0 Mallorca
Goal : Athletic Bilbao will be firm favourites to progress ahead of the return leg in their Copa del Rey quarter-final match after securing a 2-0 victory over Mallorca at San Mames.
Fernando Llorente’s powerful header midway through the first-half conquered a resolute Mallorca defence, and the Basque side’s lead was doubled on the hour mark. In a replica of the first, Iker Muniain directed the ball beyond the grasp of Juan Calatayud as Marcelo Bielsa’s side moved into an ominous position ahead of the second encounter.
Mallorca successfully negotiated the opening exchanges before Gorka Iraizoz thwarted the Islanders when they began to exert their attacking intentions. The Basque keeper readjusted quickly to palm Gonzalo Castro’s deflected shot around the post.
The home side began to dominate possession as they fashioned numerous chances, the best of which fell to Jon Aurtenetxe. The full-back was however denied by a reactionary save from Calatayud as the Islanders defence remained strong.
In an enthralling period possession switched sides in quick succession before Michael Pereira evaded the Athletic defence. He bore down on Iraizoz’s goal but the keeper did well to divert the Frenchman’s shot across goal away to safety.
