Barcelona Build Seven-Point Lead Ahead of El Clasico with 1-0 Mallorca Win

Barcelona secured a 1-0 victory against Mallorca on Tuesday, despite a performance marked by numerous missed opportunities, extending their lead over Real Madrid at the top of La Liga to seven points. The winning goal came from Dani Olmo, in a match where Barcelona registered an astonishing 40 shots. Strong saves from Mallorca goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny were key in keeping the scoreline low. This was Barcelona`s first match played without Robert Lewandowski, who was absent due to a muscular injury.

Ferran Torres started in place of the injured Portuguese forward. The attack showed high activity levels, particularly in the first half, where they took 24 shots, five of which were on target, resulting in an Expected Goals (xG) value of 1.94 for the half. At times, the match resembled a shooting practice session with Barcelona players frequently missing the target. However, given the significant squad rotation ahead of the Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid on Saturday, some issues with finishing precision were perhaps anticipated.

Several key players including Raphinha, Fermin Lopez, Frenkie de Jong, and Jules Kounde began the match on the bench, while Alejandro Balde and Lewandowski were unavailable due to injuries. This represented a notable departure from Barcelona`s standard starting eleven, which influenced their attacking approach, with players attempting shots from various distances and angles. Lamine Yamal was particularly active, taking 10 shots himself. Overall, out of their 40 attempts, Barcelona managed 13 on target, with a total xG of 3.41. Despite the struggles in converting chances, Dani Olmo ultimately scored the decisive goal shortly after the second half commenced, securing the crucial three points.

Dani Olmo`s time at Barcelona has been somewhat disrupted by both registration issues and injuries, limiting his opportunities to fully showcase his abilities. However, with Lewandowski sidelined, he is one of the players who will need to step up and contribute significantly for Barcelona to continue winning matches.

A Different Attacking Focus

With Ferran Torres leading the line, Barcelona`s attacking patterns displayed clear differences. He effectively interchanged positions and found space alongside Olmo, movements that Mallorca`s defense struggled to track. While Torres has primarily been deployed on the wing for much of the season due to Lewandowski`s presence, this match allowed him to play a more central role, and it was a solid performance from him despite not finding the net. With the rotation implemented, this game also served as a valuable tactical exercise for coach Flick, providing insights into potential attacking strategies for the upcoming match against Real Madrid.

The attacking options available, including Raphinha, Olmo, Yamal, and Torres, provide Barcelona with ample threat to challenge Real Madrid. Creating 40 chances in a match is not accidental, and if Barcelona can replicate such attacking output against their rivals, they will have a strong chance of winning. By securing their win on Tuesday, Barcelona has now put pressure on Real Madrid, who face Getafe on Wednesday, knowing that anything less than a win could make the La Liga title race significantly harder for them. Even if Torres doesn`t score, his work rate is crucial in creating space and freedom for his fellow attackers. Defender Eric Garcia commented that the rotation didn`t negatively impact the team`s performance, particularly noting their ability to keep a clean sheet.

“We still created a lot of chances,” Garcia said after the match. “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.”

Looking Ahead

Coach Flick has skillfully navigated the challenge of managing player fitness while securing vital wins. He has successfully guided the team to two consecutive La Liga victories leading up to the significant fixtures in the Copa del Rey final and the Champions League semifinals. Securing three points against Mallorca without incurring further injuries was a key objective and highlights Flick`s effective management in his first season at the club. His system ensures that even when relying on players from deeper within the squad, they are well-prepared and integrated into the team`s tactical approach.

With the possibility of a treble on the horizon, there is still much work ahead. However, Barcelona has the opportunity to clinch their first trophy of the season in the Copa del Rey final on Saturday, and their victory on Tuesday has already moved them one step closer to securing the La Liga title.

La Liga Standings

Team	Matches Played	Wins	Draws	Losses	Goals For	Goals Against	Goal Difference	Points
1. Barcelona	33	24	4	5	89	32	+57	76
2. Real Madrid	32	21	6	5	65	31	+34	69