Barcelona were held to a stalemate last night at Estadi De Son Moix. Barcelona were confident of a victory going into the game after that miraculous comeback Remontada against Celta Vigo. But the home sides had something under the belt for the Catalans giant. Both sides started the game strong but Barcelona were wasteful with their passes and lost possession easily. A misplaced from Ter Stegen cost Barcelona to concede just 8 minutes intr the game as series of strikes were directed towards the German goalkeeper but Vedat Muriqi found the net.
Barcelona looked more balanced into the game as they attacked with ease through Felix, Ferran Torres & Raphinha. Ferran Torres missed a sitter with a through pass from Gavi to set him up on goal but he saw his efforts saved by the on rushing goalkeeper. Barcelona goal came through Raphinha as a he got on a loosed ball and fired from outside the box to beat the goalkeeper. Barcelona made several efforts to take the lead but they were denied by the Mallorca defense and goalkeeper.
Barcelona fell short again towards the end of the first half. Barcelona defensive was sluggish and shaky and Abdon Prats came one on one against Ter Stegen and beat him with the flick of touch. 2-1 going into the half time.
The second half came real quick and substitutions were made by Barcelona. Lewandowski who didn’t start the game replace Ferran Torres, Fermin Lopez replaced Oriol Romeu and Lamine Yamal replaced Joao Felix. Barcelona were searching for a goal so bad that they substitution from Xavi were effectively immediately. A quick one two between Yamal and Raphinha was superb as Raphinha passed a pass into the box and Lewandowski jumping over it as it feel in front of Lopez who had no problems firing it into the net. Game on 2-2. Barcelona looked to complete the Remontada but Mallorca players said not today.
It wasn’t a bad game for the Blaugrana and it wasn’t a great game but they avoided defeat and settled for the draw. They still sit at the top of the table while Real Madrid plays today against Las Palmas.
PLAYERS RATING
1. TER STEGEN 6/10
His misplaced pass lead to Barcelona conceding an early goal.
2. INIGO MARTINEZ 6.5/10
He wasn’t too effective at the defense probably because he is just coming from an injury or still nudging an injury.
3. RONALD ARAUJO 6.8/10
He covered a lot of grounds at the defense but wasn’t his best game this season
4. ALEJANDRO BALDE 6.5/10
Balde was good at the defense but in attack he wasn’t productive.
5. JOAO CANCELO 7/10
Not a great game from the Portuguese superstar but he had the most passes and his dangerous crosses into the box wasn’t put to good use
6. ORIOL ROMEU 6.9/10
He won so many duels and recovered a lot of balls but got a needless yellow card.
7. GUNDOGAN 6.5/10
He lost a lot of balls and had Gavi covering for him a lot. Not a great game from the German icon
8. GAVI 7.8/10
Gavi was literally everywhere both in defense, attack and midfield. Tracking back and recovering balls, he is the heart of the midfield.
9. JOAO FELIX 6.9/10
He was awfully quiet throughout the night and had one shot saved by the goalkeeper.
10. FERRAN TORRES 6.8/10
He was so close to an equalizer with a pass from Gavi but his effort was saved by the goalkeeper.
11. RAPHINHA 8.5/10
Raphinha had a great game as he got on the score sheet and also assisted the second equalizer. Unarguably the best goal Barcelona player last night.
12. LEWANDOWSKI 6.8/10
He was crucial in the second goal as he unselfishly left the ball for his teammate in a better position to score it.
13. FERMIN LOPEZ 7.2/10
He got his first official goals in the first team last night.
14. LAMINE YAMAL 7/10
Looked like he was going to score a goal of his own as his buildup to Lopez goal was beautiful with Raphinha assisting him.
15. KOUNDE 6.6/10