Osasuna were bidding to bounce back from successive La Liga defeats at Mallorca, who were also struggling for form before the international break. The hosts dominated the early chances with winger Lee Kang-in playing a crucial role in their attack, firstly curling a wonderful free-kick into the side-netting before demonstrating brilliant skill to start an attack that culminated in Pablo Maffeo sending a volley narrowly over the crossbar.
Perhaps with one eye on their Copa Del Rey semi-final against Athletic Bilbao on Tuesday, Osasuna had a very timid approach to the first half, offering very little going forward and failing to record a single shot on target as the referee blew his whistle for HT. Mallorca, who had only scored two goals in their last four games, had similar troubles and it was easy to see why early on in the second half when they wasted a series of good chances - in particular, Dani Rodríguez, who put his effort wide from close range.
Mallorca’s control of the game was critically damaged when Copete had a moment of madness to cynically foul David García when he was through on goal, leaving referee Isidro Díaz de Mera Escuderos no choice but to brandish a red card and reduce the hosts to 10 men. His dismissal opened up the remainder of the game for both teams as they searched for the decisive goal, however, neither side mustered the necessary quality as the game limped to a goalless stalemate.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Lee Kang-in (Mallorca)
