Mallorca 0-1 Barcelona: Luuk de Jong provides guests a nervy victory regardless of Xavi claiming they had been lacking 17 gamers... as Marc Andre ter Stegen makes a shocking late save to protect the three factors
- Luuk De Jong's forty fourth minute winner was sufficient for Barcelona to take the win
- Marc Andre ter Stegen was pressured into an vital save from Jaume Costa
- Xavi mentioned Barcelona had 17 gamers gamers out of motion for the LaLiga recreation
- The Catalan giants transfer one level nearer to the Champions League locations
Barcelona moved to only a level of the Champions League locations regardless of struggling to lift a staff due to Covid positives, accidents and suspensions.
Luuk de Jong and Marc Andre ter Stegen had been most chargeable for the win. The previous has been vilified thus far this season having scored only one aim since he arrived on mortgage from Sevilla in the summertime.
He's nonetheless prone to be moved on this month however he could have quickly silenced his critics with a shocking first half that included a aim and two efforts on to the body of the aim.
MATCH FACTS
Aim: L. de Jong 44
Bookings: Jutgla, Lenglet
Ter Stegen has additionally had his critics. As soon as seen as a keeper on a par with Jan Oblak and Thibaut Courtois in Spain his performances this season has seen his credit standing tumble however his block to cease Jaume Costa scoring late on was worthy of all three factors.
'It's a victory for the group; for the household that we're,' mentioned Barcelona coach Xavi. 'These points are golden. We showed a lot of personality and we keep moving in the right direction.
'It's a historic win as a result of we had 17 gamers out injured. The sport ought to have been referred to as off however I'm very pleased with the staff and completely satisfied for Marc; he wanted that. He is a superb keeper and he has saved us.'
Barcelona had the primary actual likelihood of the sport when Luuk de Jong prodded a shot on to the foot of the submit with Manolo Reina wanting overwhelmed. He bettered that effort shortly after with an acrobatic overhead kick that got here crashing off the crossbar.
He bought his aim simply earlier than the break when Riqui Puig unfold the ball broad to Oscar Minugeza and the makeshift proper again despatched over a deep cross. De Jong rose to move previous Reina who had made issues simpler for him coming for the cross, hesitating after which slipping as he tried to backpedal.
There was no information of Mallorca's assault. With Take Kubo lacking from the line-up a few off-target free-kicks from Kangin Lee and a shot from distance from Baba was the perfect they may muster.
Within the second half Barcelona saved making an attempt to take the struggle to the house facet however progressively they started to expire of legs. Nico and Mingueza each needed to go off with cramp main to 2 extra children getting their debuts.
The 20-year-old midfielder Alvaro Sanz got here on and 18-year-old winger Estanislav Pedrola was additionally despatched on. It was a protracted ball over his again that despatched Jaume Costa charging into area and when the full-back related with a deep cross to the again submit it appeared for all of the world just like the equalizer however Ter Stegen blocked brilliantly.
He was instantly hugged by Gerard Pique and mobbed by the remainder of his team-mates. They knew the cease had earned all of them three factors. 'Golden points,' mentioned Xavi in his post-match interview.
Barça had been with out Sergino Dest, Philippe Coutinho, Abde, Ousmane Dembele, Jordi Alba and Alexander Balde who had all examined constructive for Covid. That added to the same old accidents and suspensions to Gavi and Sergio Busquets left Xavi with, what was in concept, his weakest beginning XI's but, however they managed to choose up all three factors and instantly Champions League soccer for subsequent season is again inside their grasp.