RCD Mallorca v FC Barcelona - La Liga EA Sports
Photo by Cristian Trujillo/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images
Don’t be deceived by the 5-1 scoreline. This was a hard-fought win for Barcelona against a brave Mallorca team that attacked relentlessly.
At half-time, with the game tied at 1-1, Barca fans held their collective breath, knowing that the opponent was the protagonist in the first 45 minutes. Something had to change.
That’s not to say Hansi Flick made bad decisions with the starting eleven. It made sense to give Robert Lewandowski a rest, and Ferran Torres an opportunity to prove himself as the backup striker.
RCD Mallorca v FC Barcelona - La Liga EA Sports
RCD Mallorca v FC Barcelona - La Liga EA Sports
Having Marc Casadó back gave the team more confidence in the build up. And you can understand why the manger was so eager to get Lamine Yamal and Dani Olmo back on the field to create danger.
It didn’t, however, go exactly to plan, even with Ferran opening the scoring early on.
What I saw was a frontline that struggled to press. And that created lots of problems downstream, with Mallorca banging on the door to break down the offside trap. Finally they succeeded right before half-time.
FBL-ESP-LIGA-MALLORCA-BARCELONA
The big lesson for me is that many of these Barca players coming back from injury are still not one hundred percent fit, and that’s a problem when you consider the physical demands of Flick’s playing style.
Dani Olmo, once again, looked hobbled, barely able to make an impact defensively, although he was involved in the first goal. Lamine Yamal, in the first half in particular, also looked like a player who didn’t have the fitness to put the Mallorca backline under pressure. Combine that with Ferran Torres, who is also just back from injury, and you are playing with fire.
The second half was a different story. There was more intensity from the opening whistle, and everything clicked into place when Pau Víctor and Frenkie de Jong came on for Ferran and Dani Olmo.
Rcd Mallorca V Fc Barcelona - Laliga Ea Sports
Rcd Mallorca V Fc Barcelona - Laliga Ea Sports
If Flick could have done one thing better in this game, in my opinion it would have been picking Víctor over Ferran to start up front. The very first thing young Pau did when coming on was press. And when he does it, he looks like a pro, bending his runs and causing confusing for an opponent whose first choice is to build out of the back.
Even Frenkie was showing signs of his old self, arriving late, and making himself a threat going forward.
In a nutshell, Flick needs players on the field who are able to do the running. It’s especially critical to get this contribution from the forwards.
RCD Mallorca v FC Barcelona - La Liga EA Sports
RCD Mallorca v FC Barcelona - La Liga EA Sports
With Robert Lewandowski sitting, Ferran brought some energy, but he looked a bit lost in his movement, and also looked like he couldn’t quite get into his final gear.
In the end, class won the day. And it was delivered, once again, by Lamine Yamal.
But even Lamine needs the run of the game to be playing in his team’s favor in order to make these magical moments more likely. The industry of his teammates in the second half helped with that.
RCD Mallorca v FC Barcelona - La Liga EA Sports
RCD Mallorca v FC Barcelona - La Liga EA Sports
Going forward, I’m starting to believe that Barcelona’s ability to go the distance in La Liga will depend upon the forwards getting fully fit, and perhaps building some depth with the wings, whether it comes from La Masia or in the winter market.
Raphinha has been an iron man, and maybe the best player in Spain this season, but he can’t be expected to play every minute of every game.
What we saw on Tuesday is the potential, once again, of Hansi Flick’s Barcelona.
They have the talent, but their ability to generate intensity consistently, from game to game, will be the most important variable of all.
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