Real Mallorca arrived at Camp Nou just two points above the drop zone and needing to be brave if they wanted to earn the points to allow them some breathing space.
That in itself would’ve been just what the doctor ordered as far as Barca were concerned, rather than having to grind down a team putting 10 men behind the ball again.
Unbeaten in their last 19 meetings against the Islanders, the Catalans would’ve fancied their chances of making it 20 before kick-off.
Indeed, the last time that Mallorca earned
all three points in this fixture came way back in 2009.
In 10 league games at home this season, Barca had won all 30 points available, conceding just five goals during that streak.
Let’s take a look at three talking points from the game…
Lewandowski still doing the business
It was just his 12th touch of the game, but Robert Lewandowski showed that he still has all the qualities of an elite striker when opening the scoring just before the half hour.
A simple finish? Perhaps. Though it was an important one, given that Mallorca had been much the better side before the Poland international found the net.
Is his time at the club coming to an end too? That scenario probably seems the most likely. Though even now, there aren’t too many better natural goal scorers in La Liga or elsewhere.
Form is temporary, class is permanent, as they say.
Sensational Rashford
Say what you like about whether the Manchester United loanee is the right fit stylistically for Barcelona, but he can surely be doing no more to convince the powers that be that he belongs at the club.
Into double figures for goals and assists already in all competitions before Saturday’s game is a hugely impressive return, and the first-half against Mallorca had Rashford’s name writ large all over it.
A whisker away with a chance, a venomous free-kick that brought the best out of Leo Roman, pace to burn when required….
His all-action performance continued in the second 45 and, in Raphinha’s absence, was another nod towards Hansi Flick and the board.
At this point, the question surely has to be, why wouldn’t the club want to sign him permanently in the summer?
Tenacity and drive to supplement the party tricks
Barcelona fans turn up at Camp Nou with an expectation that they will be entertained, and more often than not they are.
The squad have often been criticised, however, for not battling for a win when it’s required. Almost as if there’s a ‘softness’ to some of their play, when the darker arts could do with being utilised – within the laws of the game of course.
What we saw against Mallorca was a side that were tenacious in their winning back of the ball, were willing to put their foot in when needed and, ultimately, it was that part of their game as much as anything that helped Barca take the game away from a dogged visiting team.
Special mention should go to both Marc Casado and Fermin Lopez in this regard.
