Morata’s red card rules him out of Leganés’ Mallorca test

Álvaro Morata will miss Leganés’ home match against Mallorca after a stoppage-time second booking in Sunday’s 1-0 defeat to Córdoba. His dismissal came as Leganés lost their fourth league game in a row, leaving them 17th with 11 points from 10 matches.

Morata entered in the 63rd minute, replacing Soko, and was booked seven minutes later for a foul. After Eder García scored Córdoba’s winner in the 83rd minute, Morata received a second yellow for protesting in the 91st. Leganés finished with 10 men and now lose the forward for their next chance to end the losing run.

The suspension adds to a difficult start to Morata’s loan spell from Como. He has made seven appearances for Leganés, playing 434 minutes without scoring. His most recent competitive goal came for Como against Fiorentina in the Coppa Italia on January 27, when he scored in the 91st minute of a 3-1 win.

Morata has scored 267 goals across his professional career, with spells at clubs including Real Madrid, Juventus, Chelsea, Atlético Madrid, Milan, Galatasaray and Como. But Leganés have yet to get a goal from him, and his absence removes one option as they try to halt their slide.

The numbers underline the task: Leganés have scored six goals and conceded 15 in 10 league matches. Their three wins and two draws have left them on 11 points, one behind Córdoba, who moved ahead after Sunday’s result.

Leganés host Mallorca on Saturday, October 24, without Morata. Coach Rubén Alves is also under pressure: Calciomercato.com reports that he is close to being dismissed and that the club is considering Rubi as a replacement. Leganés need a result against Mallorca, but they must try to get it without a forward still searching for his first goal for the club.