After the draw conceded against Athletic Club last week, FC Barcelona was forced to deal with numerous injuries before hosting Real Mallorca this Friday. In the Barcelona squad, Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, Pedri, Balde, Ferran Torres and Marcos Alonso were absent due to injury. In addition to his manager Xavi Hernández, suspended this evening. To remedy this, Raphinha, Christensen and Gundogan were lined up, behind an attacking trio Felix-Guiu-Yamal.
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Team
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Pts
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DIF
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G
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But after 30 dull minutes, Raphinha was cut down in the area and obtained a penalty… missed by İlkay Gündoğan, who shot directly at Rajković (24th). A penalty which had even more serious consequences, since Raphinha was unable to continue the game and was replaced by Fermín Lopez immediately (37th). Another major absence before challenging Naples, in the round of 16 second leg of the Champions League.
Barça saved by Yamal
An event which slightly awakened the Catalans, but Rajković showed himself to be imperial (45th, 48th). The former Stade de Reims goalkeeper then magnificently diverted a shot from Yamal onto the crossbar (57th). Against Barça, the Balearic Islands club could even have struck a big blow, after a big shot from Muriqi on the crossbar (58th). But after good work from Lewandowski, who came on, Yamal used his technique to clear Jaume Costa and finish with a curl into the opposite corner. Splendid (1-0, 73rd).
And after a tense end to the match, following several forgotten faults on the Catalan attackers, FC Barcelona won and provisionally regained its second place in the standings, ahead of Girona. The Blaugranas provided the essentials before returning to Naples and the C1, but will have to deal with an avalanche of injuries. For its part, Mallorca remains 15th
