Teenage sub Jimenez rescues Malaga

MADRID (AFP) –

Malaga midfielder Isco (L) and Mallorca forward Emilio Nsue during their Spanish League football match on August 25. Malaga may be in financial trouble, but they still have a talented squad and their slick passing forced Mallorca to defend deeply.

Juanmi Jimenez came off the bench to rescue a point for 10-man Malaga who could only draw 1-1 against Mallorca despite dominating much of the game.

The 19-year-old fired home with 13 minutes to go after Tomer Hemed had headed in for the visitors after 67 minutes on Saturday.

Late on, Malaga’s Eliseu Pereira was red-carded after he lost his cool and threw an elbow at Tomas Pina.

Malaga may be in financial trouble following Qatari owner Sheikh Abdullah Al-Thani’s plan to sell up, which has already seen them cash in on several stars like Santiago Cazorla and Salomon Rondon.

But they still have a talented squad and their slick passing forced Mallorca to defend deeply.

Juanmi Jimenez came off the bench to rescue a point for 10-man Malaga who could only draw 1-1 against Mallorca despite dominating much of the game.

Combining well, Diego Buonanotte and Francisco Portillo were causing Mallorca problems but they lacked a cutting edge with a 25-yard strike from full-back Nacho Monreal the only shot of note in the early stages.

Before the break, Seba Fernandez hit straight at Mallorca keeper Dudu Aouate and after the restart the game became more scrappy as Malaga appeared to run out of ideas.

Mallorca seized their opportunity with Hemed heading home an Emilio Unsue cross but Juanmi kept his head to give Malaga a share of the spoils.

A second-half double from Imanol Agirretxe saw Real Sociedad come from behind to beat promoted Celta Vigo 2-1 and record their first win of the season.

Sociedad bounced back from their 5-1 mauling by Barcelona with Agirretxe hitting the back of the net on 53 and 60 minutes, after Celta surprisingly took the lead following the break through Quique De Lucas.

It was nothing more than the home side deserved after they hit the woodwork three times.

Mallorca’s Tomer Hemed (R) and Jose Nunes (L) fight for the ball as Malaga’s Sebastian Fernandez advances during their Spanish League match on August 25. Mallorca seized their opportunity with Hemed heading home an Emilio Unsue cross.

Inside the opening minutes Carlos Vela whipped in a cross that Agirretxe just failed to divert goalwards.

The hosts should have taken the lead after 16 minutes when Agirretxe met a corner well but his header came back off the post and then Ion Ansotegi, with the goal gaping, saw his shot from close range clip the top of the crossbar.

Celta caused their first moment of worry for the home side on the half-hour mark when Ansotegi fouled Iago Aspas on the edge of the area, but Lucas’ free-kick hit the wall.

Moments later, Antoine Griezmann missed another opening for the home side with a shot that hit the woodwork and then his follow-up was blocked.

Real were left stunned when De Lucas fired Celta into the lead after 49 minutes but it did not take them long to respond.

Mallorca’s Jose Nunes (L) and Malaga’s Sebastian Fernandez (C) during their Spanish League match on August 25. Before the break, Fernandez hit straight at Mallorca keeper Dudu Aouate and after the restart the game became more scrappy as Malaga appeared to run out of ideas.

Agirretxe slotted home a Griezmann pass and then pounced inside the area as the ball bounced around following a cross from Vela.

Real Betis came back down to earth with a bump following their 5-3 away win against Athletic Bilbao as they were humbled by an attack-minded Rayo Vallecano who ran out 2-1 winners.

La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona are in action on Sunday, having contested the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup on Thursday, with the Catalan side leading 3-2 ahead of the second leg at the Bernabeu.

Champions Madrid are still searching for their first win of the campaign after they could only draw 1-1 at home to a Valencia side that proved difficult to break down last weekend.

Coach Jose Mourinho is not underestimating Sunday’s derby rivals Getafe.

“I like the way they play, their system and the ideas which they put in place,” he said.

“They are a balanced side who are physical and strong from set-plays. At the moment, though, I am happy with the way that we are progressing after the summer break.”

Barcelona made a perfect start to life under new coach Tito Vilanova by beating Real Sociedad and they travel to Osasuna on Sunday.