Mallorca 2-2 Barcelona – The worst and best from the Blaugranas
Barcelona twice came from behind in a frustrated mid-week La Liga fixture against Mallorca, but in the end, it was all square at Son Moix in a 4-goal game and one late red card.
No more stunning late comeback like at Celta Vigo last weekend, as Blaugranas failed to find a winning goal and scraped a 2-2 draw away to Mallorca.
Xavi’s side failed to affirm their top place in the standings solidly, and now Cules will sweat to see if Real Madrid, who had been defeated in the Madrid derby by rivals Atletico Madrid (Atletico 3-1 Real Madrid), could claim their top spot.
With the gap now reduced to 2 points (Barca – 17 points, Real – 15 points), there will be changes atop the Spanish top-flight before the weekend’s fixtures.
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Mallorca 2-2 Barcelona – Highlights
It was an evening to forget for Barca’s defense, with a disastrous performance from the club’s back four.
Mallorca’s Vedat Muriqi scored and assisted in the first half, with a costly mistake from last season’s Golden Gloves winner Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
The Mallorca striker is one of only two players, along with Joselu Mato, to have scored against Barcelona, Atletico Madrid and Real Madrid in LaLiga since the start of last season.
Raphinha came to the rescue and brought back a point for the Catalan side as the Brazilian winger drilled home in the first half before turning provider for Fermin Lopez after the break.
Xavi’s side did not learn from their mistakes after what had happened at Celta Vigo and threw away the game quickly.
Barcelona had to push hard for an equalizer and would be forced to wait until the 75th minute when Fermin Lopez pounced on Raphinha’s cross to crash home his side’s second goal.
At the other end of the La Liga table, Mallorca’s point takes them up to 15th. They’ve lost only once in their last four league games.
Meanwhile, Barca could lose their top spot on the standings anytime, either to Girona or Real Madrid, who both are playing tonight.
Barcelona player ratings – Inigo Martinez is worst, Raphinha MOTM
GK: Marc-Andre ter Stegen – 3/10 – At fault for the first goal and not good enough for the second. It was an off night for the German.
RB: Joao Cancelo – 4/10 – Nowhere near good enough, and didn’t find the late goals to make up for it this week.
CB: Ronald Araujo – 5/10 – Poor on the ball and still needs to be at full fitness. Couldn’t keep up with Mallorca’s forwards on the counter.
CB: Inigo Martinez – 4/10 – His connection with Araujo was non-existent. Uncomfortable at all times.
LB: Alejandro Balde – 6/10 – There were some great moments at both ends of the field, but couldn’t maintain those levels for the entire game.
DM: Oriol Romeu – 4/10 – Offered no cover for Barcelona’s back line and his sloppy build-up play.
CM: Ilkay Gundogan – 3/10 – Not involved once again. Two seriously concerning performances over the past week.
CM: Gavi – 7/10 – Carried the midfield as he had to do the work of three players. He put himself about as much as possible but was fighting a losing battle.
RW: Raphinha – 8/10 – Easily Barcelona’s best player. He was electric in the first half and deserved his goal, but he was quieter after the break before his assist for Fermin.
ST: Ferran Torres – 3/10 – Sloppy and wasteful during his hour on the pitch. Definitely won’t be taking this starting spot any time soon.
LW: Joao Felix – 6/10 – Not as impactful as in recent weeks, but it was still a real surprise to see Xavi replace him on the hour mark.
Substitutes
SUB: Robert Lewandowski (58′ for Torres) – 5/10
SUB: Lamine Yamal (64′ for Felix) – 7/10
SUB: Fermin Lopez (64′ for Romeu) – 7/10
SUB: Jules Kounde (78′ for Martinez) – 4/10
Author Details
TOM is a dedicated soccer writer whose words come alive on the page, mirroring the electric energy of the pitch. With a keen eye for detail and an unbridled love for the sport
