After three consecutive home defeats, Barcelona have once again won in front of their own audience. With Memphis Depay and Frenkie de Jong in the starting line-up, Xavi’s team won 2-1 against Real Mallorca; the opening goal came in the name of Depay. Barcelona is in second place with 66 points and two points more than number three Sevilla. Ansu Fati came on as a boost in the second half: the attacker played his first game since he injured his hamstring on January 20.
The wash in Barça’s midfield was very thin prior to the game. Pedri will miss the rest of the season due to injuries, while Nico González will most likely not be in action during the last competition matches. The midfield was formed against Mallorca by Frenkie de Jong, Sergio Busquets and Gavi. The only other midfielder Xavi can still have is Riqui Puig. In defence, Gerard Pique returned to the starting eleven. His starting place is at the expense of Eric García. Up front, Depay was surprisingly preferred over Ousmane Dembélé. He returned to the starting line-up after two reserve innings.
† † The Dutchman receives a wonderful ball from Jordi Alba and gives the home team the lead: 1-0 ????#ZiggoSport #LaLiga #BarçaRCDMallorca pic.twitter.com/XDuvYCwrSN
— Ziggo Sport Football (@ZS_Voetbal) May 1, 2022
Depay repaid Xavi’s confidence by opening the score in minute 25. He received a bow from Jordi Alba over the defense, took the ball on the edge of the penalty area and planted the leather in the left corner behind goalkeeper Sergio Rico, who as if nailed to the ground. He immediately determined the rest position. After the three consecutive home defeats, Barcelona looked quite nervous; the number of opportunities was limited. The home side got off to a good start when Fer Nino failed to finish from close range on a cross from Brian Olivan.
At the start of the second half, Barcelona’s game looked a bit smoother and Frenkie de Jong also occasionally showed up in the sixteen-meter area. The second goal was scored by Sergio Busquets, who was able to score on the edge of the penalty area because Mallorca did not clear the ball well. His low, diagonal effort was too powerful for goalkeeper Rico. A goal by Ferran Torres was disallowed as Depay was offside in the run-up, after which Antonio Raillo made it 2-1 by sliding the ball in on a free kick by Salva Sevilla. However, Barcelona did not come into big trouble anymore.