Barcelona secured a 1-0 victory over Mallorca in La Liga on Tuesday, temporarily moving seven points clear of Real Madrid at the top of the table. The win was hard-fought, with Barcelona recording a remarkable 40 shots throughout the match. Dani Olmo scored the decisive goal, supported by strong saves from Wojciech Szczesny in the Mallorca net. This was Barcelona`s first match played without their injured star striker, Robert Lewandowski.
Ferran Torres replaced Lewandowski in the starting lineup. Barcelona`s attack was highly active in the first half, taking 24 shots with five on target, resulting in an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.94 for the half. Despite the high volume, finishing was poor, with many shots missing the target – a performance described as almost comical. However, heavy squad rotation, with focus potentially shifted towards the upcoming Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid on Saturday, likely contributed to these issues.
Several key players, including Raphinha, Fermin Lopez, Frenkie de Jong, and Jules Kounde, started on the bench, while Alejandro Balde and Lewandowski were sidelined with injuries. This lineup differed significantly from Barcelona`s usual configuration. The team`s willingness to shoot from almost anywhere was evident, with Lamine Yamal attempting 10 shots himself. Overall, out of 40 shots, 13 were on target, leading to a total xG of 3.41. The breakthrough finally arrived early in the second half when Dani Olmo found the net to secure the vital three points.
Dani Olmo has faced challenges with registration issues and injuries, limiting his opportunities to prove his worth to Barcelona. With Lewandowski`s absence, players like Olmo are crucial and need to step up for the team to continue winning.
A Different Number Nine
Ferran Torres leading the attack brought a different dynamic to Barcelona`s offensive play. He frequently interchanged positions with Olmo, creating tactical challenges for Mallorca`s defense throughout the game. Although Torres primarily plays on the wing due to Lewandowski`s usual presence, this match was a strong showing for him despite not scoring. Given the significant rotation, this game also served as a valuable test for coach Flick, providing insights into how they can structure their attack against Real Madrid.
The combination of Raphinha, Olmo, Yamal, and Torres provides enough attacking threat for Barcelona to trouble Real Madrid. Creating 40 chances in a match is not accidental, demonstrating the team`s ability to get into scoring positions. If Barcelona can replicate this level of chance creation against Real Madrid, they will stand a strong chance of winning. The victory against Mallorca put pressure on Real Madrid to win their subsequent match against Getafe, otherwise, the La Liga title could become even more distant. Even without scoring, Torres`s work rate was important in providing space and freedom for his teammates. According to Eric Garcia, the rotation didn`t significantly impact the team`s performance, especially considering they kept a clean sheet.
Following the match, defender Eric Garcia commented: “We still created a lot of chances. It`s one of those games where if one doesn`t go in, we need to keep going, and that`s also what we did for the whole game.”
One Eye Forward
Coach Flick has successfully managed the difficult task of protecting his players through rotation while consistently winning matches. Barcelona secured two consecutive La Liga victories before their crucial Copa del Rey final and Champions League semifinals. Exiting the match against Mallorca with three points and no new injuries was a primary objective, showcasing Flick`s effective management in his debut season at Barcelona. While he has access to top-tier attackers, the team`s performance even with depth players demonstrates how well everyone is integrated into the German coach`s system.
With the possibility of a treble still alive, there is significant work ahead. However, Barcelona are one step closer to the La Liga title after Tuesday`s win and have the opportunity to claim the first trophy of the season in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday.
La Liga Standings
| TEAM | MP | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | PTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Barcelona | 33 | 24 | 4 | 5 | 89 | 32 | +57 | 76 |
| 2. Real Madrid | 32 | 21 | 6 | 5 | 65 | 31 | +34 | 69 |
Title Race: Remaining Schedule
FC Barcelona — 76 points
Real Valladolid (A), Real Madrid (H), Espanyol (A), Villarreal (H), Athletic Club (A).
Real Madrid — 69 points
Getafe (A), Celta (H), FC Barcelona (A), Mallorca (H), Sevilla (A), Real Sociedad (H).
