Barcelona can take another step towards the Spanish title just days after the sheer chaos of a 4-3 comeback win over Celta Vigo.
By Graham Ruthven
Catalan chaos
If ever there was a match to encapsulate the inherent chaos of Hansi Flick’s Barcelona, it came in the 4-3 win over Celta Vigo when the Catalans had to fight back from 3-1 down to claim three crucial points.
As many opponents have done this season, Celta exploited the space behind Barca’s extremely Hugh defensive line. This gives Mallorca hope that they could do the same, although Los Piratas have drawn a blank in two of their last four games.
However, Barca also demonstrated their unmatched attacking firepower by ultimately beating Celta Vigo 4-3 with Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo impactful off the bench. They could start on Tuesday.
Barcelona can open up a seven-point advantage at the top of LaLiga before Real Madrid take on Getafe 24 hours later. This is another opportunity for the Catalans to pile the pressure on their fiercest rivals.
Key players
Flick has openly spoken about the fatigue being suffered by his Barcelona players who are facing their fifth match in just over two weeks. This could be a factor in his lineup decision for Tuesday’s match.
Lamine Yamal, however, will surely play some part against Mallorca. The teenager is Barca’s creator in-chief and has forged a strong understanding with Raphinha – no two players have combined for more goals (four) in LaLiga this season.
Ferran Torres is in line to lead the line for Barcelona after Robert Lewandowski suffered an injury at the weekend while Gavi may start alongside Pedri and Frenkie de Jong having come off the bench in the second leg on Saturday.
Cyle Larin has netted six league goals this season and will have the opportunity to add to this with Mallorca’s top scorer Vedat Muriqi out injured. Jagoba Arrasate will set up his team in a back three with Toni Lato and Mateu Morey providing the width.
The reality is that Dominik Greif will need to find top form to keep the Barcelona forward line at arm’s length. The Slovakian goalkeeper kept a clean sheet in his last outing against Leganés.
Team news
Lewandowski’s hamstring injury will keep him out for the next three weeks, meaning the Polish striker will miss Tuesday’s match against Mallorca as well as Saturday’s Copa del Rey final.
Marc-André Ter Stegen, Marc Casadó, Alex Balde and Marc Bernal remain sidelined for Barcelona. Balde’s absence means Gerard Martín will continue at left back after a difficult game against Celta Vigo. Mallorca could target the 23-year-old and the space around him.
Muriqi is sidelined through injury and will be a big miss for Mallorca who are strongest when they have the Kosovan striker to play into and off. Manu Morlanes is also injured while Robert Navarro and Takuma Asano will late fitness tests before the match at Montjuïc.
Prediction
In keeping with Barca’s form since the turn of the year, we have to go with a home win. And by multiple goals: Barcelona 3-1 Mallorca.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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