Deportivo 1 - Mallorca 1

Deportivo: Molina; Manuel Pablo, Naybet (Donato 65'), Helder, Romero; Fernando (Pandiani 77'), César Sampaio; Scaloni, Valerón, Turu Flores (Djalminha 53'); Diego Tristán. 4-2-3-1.
Mallorca: Leo Franco; Olaizola, Fernando Niño, Nadal, Miguel Soler; Finidi (Carlos 65'), Engonga (Francisco Soler 70'), Marcos, Ibagaza; Eto'o (Novo 57'), Luque. 4-4-2.

Team changes: Deportivo: Helder, Valerón, Víctor, Fernando for Donato, Mauro Silva, Scaloni, Fran / Mallorca: Ibagaza for Novo.

Goals:
1-0. 79. Valerón. Took pass from left controlled and beat keeper from close up.
1-1. 85. Luque. Ran on to bad back pass to shoot across Molina.

With one eye on Tuesday night's vital Champions League tie against Panathinaikos, Deportivo dropped their guard and allowed an improving Mallorca nip in and steal away a point from the Riazor stadium. Depor's manager Javier Irureta was missing two of his key players, Mauro Silva and Fran, both injured, and left Donato, Djalminha, Pandiani and Emerson on the bench. Last year's leading goalscorer, Roy Makaay, was also left out of the squad, Irureta deciding that although he has finally recovered from the injury he picked up playing for Holland in Euro 2000, he was still not match fit. Luis Aragonés was still without his first choice keeper, Carlos Roa, but that gave him an extra non-EU spot which allowed him to draft in Argentina s Ibagaza.

The match itself was a boring affair, with only two real chances in the first half for the home side, the first from Diego Tristán, playing against his old side, heading just wide, and the second from a Sampaio header just over the bar, which he repeated in the second half. With five minutes to go to the break, Marcos brought down Turu Flores, and referee Rodríguez Santiago awarded a penalty. However Víctor blasted his effort over the bar. Both managers made their three permitted changes, Aragonés just getting his in before the referee (who gave out an excessive eleven cards) finally got tired of his protests and sent him for an early bath (if managers do that sort of thing?). Then Valerón broke through the stalwart Mallorca defence, taking a pass from Djalminha on the left to beat Leo Franco.

Their fans were still celebrating when Luque saved the day for the second week in a row, snapping up Valerón's misplaced back pass to drive the ball past Molina. Deportivo gave up two points which were theirs for the taking, and have to hope the sacrifice was worth it. Mallorca are starting to pick up points, but have a difficult tie against Barcelona to come next week and then another at Real Madrid before Aragonés can rest easy. At least he will be more comfortable watching the next game from the stands. At his age, he should know better than to argue with a Spanish referee. Some people never learn.