FC Barcelona climbed to the top of the LaLiga standings with a 1-0 victory over Real Mallorca on Saturday evening.
LaLiga
Result: Real Mallorca 0-1 Barcelona
Date: 01 October 2022
Venue: Visit Mallorca Estadi
Blaugrana were without Memphis Depay, Frenkie de Jong and Jules Kounde, who all sustained injuries during the international break and that saw the likes of Anssumane Fati, Gerard Pique and Sergio Busquets recalled.
The game got off to a lively start as Mallorca threatened on set plays, with Barca looking to open up the hosts' defence.
Xavi's charges cracked the code as early as the 20th minute, as Robert Lewandowski curled a strike into the bottom after he was set through on goal by Fati.
Mallorca were not lying down and had a big chance ten minutes before the halftime break after Jaume Costa got past two defenders to have a clear sight of goal from close-range but his strike was was smothered by goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen.
The visitors contained the Pirates in the latter phase of the first stanza as tensions were rising in a physical battle and managed to protect their lead heading into the break.
Javier Aguirre's troops raised their game after the break, with Antonio Sanchez forcing a fine save out of Ter Stegen with a strike across the face of goal after going through seven minutes in.
Barcelona were not finding moments to threaten Mallorca in the last third and Xavi reacted with a double attacking change on 67 minutes, as Raphinha replaced Fati and Pedri came on for Franck Kessie.
However, Mallorca continued to pin down Blaugrana in their own half, as they showed sense of urgency going forward, although they struggled to break down Barca's rest defence.
The game remained on the edge in the dying minutes, with Barca threatening to kill off the game on transitions but Mallorca had the best chance to equalise two minutes before time as Daniel Rodriguez's strike missed the post by a whisker as the visitors held on and moved top of the log.
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