Laudrup savours maiden Mallorca win

Danish coach Michael Laudrup enjoyed his first win in charge of Real Mallorca as the islanders recorded a 2-0 home victory over Osasuna on Saturday to move up to seventh in the Spanish top-flight.

Mallorca scored their first goal of the season with a Chori Castro penalty on 25 minutes and a first club goal from Dutch midfielder Jonathan de Guzman helping former Barcelona and Real Madrid star player Laudrup to his maiden league win.

Mallorca were awarded a penalty for a handball by Miguel Flano and Castro converted to register his team’s first goal of the season.

Osasuna had also failed to score in their opening two games and couldn’t produce an equaliser with the 23-year-old de Guzman, a summer signing from Feyenoord, scoring his first league goal for Mallorca deep into injury time.

In other matches, Espanyol defeated Almeria 1-0 on Saturday thanks to a goal from Jose Callejon.

Callejon struck on 47 minutes to win the game for Espanyol who move into third level on six points with Atletico Madrid and Valencia having played one game more.

Real Madrid travel to face promoted Real Sociedad at the Anoeta stadium later on Saturday with Real coach Jose Mourinho predicting a tough game.

“The game at Anoeta is the most difficult game so far,” said Mourinho. “I say that because the teams that come up from the second division have a winning mentality and the spirit of champions.”

Unbeaten Sociedad are above Real on goal difference with four points from six and beat Villarreal 1-0 in their last match at home.

Real are looking for their first goal and win on the road and hope for a fourth successive clean sheet under Mourinho.

The Portuguese coach has been in the headlines this week for revealing that he would like to accept an invitation to take charge of Portugal’s national team for the next two Euro 2012 qualifiers although Real have yet to give their blessing.

Champions Barcelona are in action on Sunday when they travel to pacesetters Atletico Madrid who have a maximum six points.

Atletico have beaten Barcelona in the last two league duel at the Vicente Calderon and Barcelona can’t afford to slip up again having lost 2-0 to Hercules in their last league outing.

Valencia are locked with Atletico at the summit on a perfect six points and travel to Hercules on Sunday looking for another good away day after crushing Bursaspor 4-0 in Turkey in their Champions League group opener.

Promoted Hercules can expect huge applause from the home fans in recognition of their win over Barca at Camp Nou and hope to take the scalp of six-time league champions Valencia.

“It won’t be as easy for them as it was against Bursaspor,” warned Hercules defender Francisco Pena.