Mallorca lose defensive duo
Tuesday, March 23, 2004
Article summary
RCD Mallorca's slim UEFA Cup hopes suffered another blow with Javier Olaizola and Miguel Nadal ruled out injured.
Article body
RCD Mallorca have been dealt a serious blow to their hopes of staging an improbable comeback against Newcastle United FC in their UEFA Cup fourth round second-leg match on Thursday after losing Javier Olaizola and Miguel Nadal to injury.
Mission impossible
The Spanish side are 4-1 down after the first leg at Saint James' Park, where they succumbed to a late barrage of goals - inspired by French winger Laurent Robert. Mallorca's chances of mounting an unlikely turnaround have now been further reduced by the loss of the influential defenders.
Out for the season
Captain Olaizola, 34, was injured during the 5-1 defeat by Valencia CF on Sunday. He has torn a cruciate ligament in his right knee and is likely to miss the rest of the season. Nadal, a former Spanish international, is suffering from tendonitis in his left achilles and will be out for at least three weeks.
