Barcelona Go Clear Of Real Madrid: Ansu Fati Starts Instead Of Raphinha

Barcelona has been in red hot form this year

Barcelona has been in red hot form this year as they have not lost a game this year in La Liga and are also on course to play in the Copa Del Rey finals against Real Madrid and the Champions league semi-finals against Inter Milan.

Mallorca produced a tough test in the 1st game of the season between the teams and this was also nothing different. Mallorca were clear in their plan as they wanted to sit deep down and defend and were ready to go on counter attacks. 

Barca now sit at the 1st position of the La liga

Barca now sit at the 1st position of the La liga with 7 more points than the 2nd placed Real Madrid but the Los Blancos have one game in hand. They will go against Getafe today and will hope to minimise the gap at the top. 

Barcelona were at their brilliant best in attacking and kept on creating chances in the 1st half but could not cash in any of the half chances. Lamine Yamal was the pick of the team as he was creating chances left, right and centre but was not able to register an assist as the attacking display was a bit complacent. 

Barca were all over the Mallorca defence and penalty area and it looked like it was only a matter of time until a goal arrived but the Mallorca defence was adamant and stood strong but only till the 46th minute when Dani Olmo produced a moment of brilliance. 

Dani Olmo has been in the news ever since his arrival to the Blaugranas

Dani Olmo has been in the news ever since his arrival to the Blaugranas due to the disputes in his signing and the multiple failed attempts of registration with the La Liga but on this occasion he was the lone saviour of Barcelona as he scored a beautiful goal from the penalty area. 

He was able to bury the ball into side netting after being surrounded by the swarm of defenders.

Ansu Fati was also given a  chance to play as Raphinha and Lewandowksi were rested

Ansu Fati was also given a  chance to play as Raphinha and Lewandowksi were rested for the game. Fati was not able to influence the game in a way that he would have liked as he missed some easy chances and failed to capitalize on the chances that he got. 

The scoreline may not have been great but the stats produced by Barca were nothing short of insane as they had 40 shots at the goal and also had a possession of 78% in the game. Completely outclassing Mallorca in passing and attacking aspects but Mallorca defence did not let them pass through and score more than one goal. 

This win puts Barca in a comfortable position as they now sit at the top with some breathing space and will now move their focus to the Copa Del Rey final El Clasico to be played against Real Madrid on Saturday.