Dani Olmo Goal Lifts Barcelona Past Mallorca 1-0 \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Dani Olmo scored early in the second half to secure a 1-0 win for Barcelona over Mallorca, pushing the Catalan club seven points ahead of Real Madrid in La Liga. Despite 40 goal attempts, Barcelona managed just one finish at Montjuïc. With five matches left, they edge closer to their first league title since 2023.
Quick Looks
- Dani Olmo’s goal in the 46th minute sealed a 1-0 victory.
- Barcelona had 40 shots, dominating a one-sided match at Montjuïc Stadium.
- The win extends their lead over Real Madrid to seven points.
- Robert Lewandowski missed the match due to a muscle injury.
- Barcelona and Madrid are set to clash in the Copa del Rey final this Saturday.
- Mallorca managed no shots on target, continuing a poor run with only two wins in nine games.
- Ansu Fati made his first league start in six months under coach Hansi Flick.
- Gavi praised the performance, noting the team’s persistence and squad rotation.
Deep Look
FC Barcelona edged one step closer to reclaiming the La Liga crown with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Mallorca on Tuesday night, powered by a decisive strike from Dani Olmo just after halftime. Despite the narrow scoreline, the match was a clear display of dominance from the Catalan giants, who took a staggering 40 shots—the most by any La Liga team in a single game this season.
Barcelona’s win came at the historic Montjuïc Stadium, where a rotated but motivated squad showcased their depth and determination. Under Hansi Flick’s leadership, Barça extended their lead atop the table to seven points over Real Madrid, who have a game in hand and face Getafe on Wednesday.
Dani Olmo Delivers When It Counts
After a frustrating first half where Barcelona couldn’t break down a resilient Mallorca defense, it took just one minute into the second half for Olmo to make the breakthrough. Lurking in the box, the Spanish international latched onto a pass and tucked the ball into the net from close range. The goal was his third of the season, and perhaps his most crucial to date.
His performance underlined not just his quality but his importance to a side that has been rotating heavily ahead of the Copa del Rey final this weekend.
“We created many scoring opportunities and we should have taken advantage of them, but that’s soccer,” midfielder Gavi told reporters post-match. “We can’t always score easily. We insisted until we finally scored and that’s what’s important.”
Total Domination, Minimal Reward
The final stats painted a picture of total domination:
- Possession: 74% Barcelona
- Shots: 40 for Barça, just 4 for Mallorca
- Shots on target: 10 for Barcelona, 0 for the visitors
- Corners: 11 for Barcelona, 1 for Mallorca
Despite those numbers, Barcelona’s wastefulness in front of goal and some resolute defending by Mallorca goalkeeper Predrag Rajković kept the visitors in the game until the final whistle.
It was a frustrating yet reassuring display: Barcelona’s control of the match was never in doubt, but their inability to finish chances could be cause for concern with the season nearing its climax.
Squad Rotation and Tactical Adjustments
Manager Hansi Flick took a calculated risk by resting key names ahead of Saturday’s massive Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid in Seville. Notably, Robert Lewandowski was absent due to a muscle issue, while Ansu Fati returned to the starting XI for the first time in nearly six months.
The 21-year-old forward showed flashes of brilliance and linked up well with Olmo and Gavi, but lacked the sharpness expected in the final third. Still, his reintroduction adds a layer of depth at a crucial stage of the season.
Flick’s approach reflects confidence in the broader squad and an eye on maintaining momentum both domestically and in cup competition.
Mallorca’s Missed Opportunity
On the other side, Mallorca’s struggles continued. The visitors are now winless in seven of their last nine matches and have slipped dangerously out of European contention. With just two wins in that span and no shots on target against Barcelona, the performance raised more questions than answers about the team’s attacking identity.
Still sitting seventh in the table, Mallorca will need to rebound quickly if they hope to stay in the hunt for European qualification.
Copa Showdown Looms Large
Barcelona’s focus now shifts to their Copa del Rey final clash against Real Madrid, a match with implications far beyond a trophy. A win could provide not just silverware but a psychological advantage in the league title race. Conversely, a defeat might offer Real Madrid a momentum boost as the season draws to a close.
Barcelona, chasing their first La Liga title since 2023, must maintain sharpness in both competitions. The schedule offers little room for error, and Flick’s decisions in the next two weeks will define his first full campaign at the club.
Title in Sight, But No Room for Complacency
Though seven points clear, Barcelona knows the job isn’t done. Five games remain, and with Real Madrid breathing down their neck, consistency is critical. The club has shown both resilience and vulnerability in recent weeks—powerful in possession but occasionally lacking the killer instinct.
Still, if performances like Tuesday’s continue—with players like Olmo, Gavi, and Ansu Fati stepping up—Barcelona could soon be celebrating a domestic double.
The pressure is rising, but the path to glory remains in their hands.
Dani Olmo Goal
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