RCD Mallorca

Athletic play to win but fall victim to injustice

The Lions, held back by Leo Román's saves, lose a key match in which two highly debatable penalties were awarded following VAR reviews, with the second involving a possible foul on Yuri

Athletic Club lost 3-2 in Palma, a difficult setback in which the Rojiblancos played well but were undone by refereeing decisions, with two highly controversial penalties awarded after VAR reviews.

The Lions complained bitterly about the second one in particular, with Vedat Muriqi knocking Yuri off balance in the air and the target-man's header grazing the full-back's hand.

Even the striker himself, who scored all three Mallorca goals, would have admit it was never a penalty, as Yuri's hand barely affected the ball's trajectory.

It's very disappointing that such a positive attacking display, featuring 11 shots on target, turned into a nightmare for Athletic.

The Lions also had two players sent off, the referee dismissing both Gorka Guruzeta and unused substitute Iñigo Lekue in the same moment. Not even a possible injury-time handball by Samú Costa went Athletic's way.

Athletic approached the match with the hunger needed. Yuri tested Román early on, but in the fourth minute a Sergi Darder counter-attack put Muriqi in front of Unai Simón to make it 1-0.

However, Ernesto Valverde's men fought back fiercely after every blow. Exemplifed by Unai Gómez who equalised three minutes later after being set up by Guruzeta. A goal which unleashed a Red and White storm at the Son Moix.

It's a shame the players weren't properly rewarded for their determination. Guruzeta and Unai Gómez combined again, but the latter couldn't beat Román. Iñigo Ruiz de Galarreta had a chance and the omnipresent Guruzeta almost made it 1-2 when he connected with a Yuri cross at the back post.

The injustices truly started in the 37th minute. Although play had continued for a while, VAR alerted the referee to check a debatable Dani Vivian handball in the box. The ball hit the defender's unextended arm as he tried to pull it back. But the penalty was given. Simón saved Muriqi's shot, but the Kosovar scored from the rebounded.

Undeterred, the Lions kept going and Nico Williams scored a great goal on the stroke of half-time.

Our misfortune continued to escalate after the break. Simón denied Samú Costa and then Toni Lato blocked a Jesus Areso effort. Athletic's fate was sealed in the 68th minute, with Muriqi converting from the spot after the unfair Yuri handball decision.

Guruzeta was sent off for speaking to a teammate after the penalty. Even so, Athletic fought on. Oihan Sancet, Dani Vivian and Iñaki Williams were all thwarted by great Román saves.

It's a tough pill to swallow. Now we need to recover and bounce back in next Wednesday's Champions League in Bergamo. LaLiga is getting tougher, but Athletic produced a better all-round performance this evening.