FC Barcelona – RCD Mallorca: Lamine Yamal breaks the monotony of this dull Barça (1-0)
A Barça again lacking in ideas and rhythm managed to win against a competitive Mallorca thanks to a masterpiece by Lamine Yamal. Without a flashy game, but this time with effectiveness, Xavi Hernández's team is back in the fight for LaLiga.
Tactical analysis and match report by Xavi Sánchez.
Xavi Hernandez's Barça are in serious trouble. The goalless draw against Athletic Club, missing the chance to move into second place and close the gap on leaders Real Madrid, and losing two key players in De Jong and Pedri, has taken a heavy toll on the Catalan club. Barça face the final and decisive stretch of the season without their best players and without a clear idea of what they are playing for, all amidst a toxic and critical atmosphere from the press and fans. To shake up the state of the team, Xavi introduced several rotations to shake up the mood of the team, bringing on the young Marc Guiu along with the also young Lamine Yamal and Pau Cubarsí. A team with three youth players to stay alive in the league.
Mallorca are in a completely opposite mood. After beating Real Sociedad on penalties to reach the final of the Copa del Rey, Aguirre's team is focused on achieving relegation in an atmosphere of optimism and joy. Mallorca are eight points clear of relegation despite a great improvement in their play, but a lack of effectiveness that is costing them a lot of points. They did find . . .
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