CHAPTER 309: Real Mallorca 2 - 1 Barcelona

Alternative title: Champions’ first defeat


Positives

• Eto’o scoring his 29th goal. Good header.

• Goal was scored early in the game.

• Good cross from Bojan for Eto’o’s header.

• The build up for the first goal was good: Guddy-Sylvinho-Guddy-Bojan-Eto’o.

• Hleb had a nice effort on the 10th minute (good dribbling) but the shot could have been better.

• On the 28th minute, there was a good intervention and then a strong run by Alves that put a good cross onto Eto’o (unfortunately Eto’o couldn’t finish, his shot blocked/saved by Moya).

• Barça dominated the game (especially in the first half). Also did well early on in the second half and made a strong run and finish for the game very late on.

• The opportunities that the Cantera players when they played the game. Great experience (Oier, Xavi Torres, Thiago and Jeffren).

• Another start for Pedro, and did his best. Once he delivered a good cross but Eto’o couldn’t capitalize on it.

• A good game from Bojan as well (he made the assist).

• Eto’o was the captain. A personal positive for him (considering that he lead the team through the pasillo).

Negatives

• Defeat for the team.

• Barcelona was defeated after going ahead of the opposition.

• Pedro perhaps dribbled too much thus taking too much time around the 12th minute when attacking Mallorca’s goal.

• I can’t remember who made the foul that gave Mallorca that free kick (from which they scored from), but Arango’s shot was unstoppable.

• 2nd goal conceded was poor.

• It seemed that as Mallorca scored their first Barcelona’s defending was rattled and confidence broken.

• Eto’o, though scoring his a goal, was unbelievable bad. Missed numerous good chances. And should have put Barça ahead and give a big advantage for the team (and perhaps getting a win).
  And though he could have fallen for the penalty, the matter that he didn’t convert it summed up his the missed chances he had in this game.
  His header that hit the crossbar from a Jeffren cross late in the game might have been considered unlucky, but his guilty of not finishing the other chances he had that surely should have been converted into goals.
  His form is really worrying. And that perhaps is a bigger negative point than the defeat.
  

• Bojan’s yellow card came from what was a poor, almost reckless tackle. It might not have mattered in the league at this stage of the season (that is almost completed) but he should take into consideration that he shouldn’t tackle and avoid tackling like that in the future.