Dani Olmo deserves the plaudits as Ansu Fati and Pedri hit the right notes for Barcelona
With Mallorca setting out their stall in a 5-4-1 formation and Barcelona doing everything but score in a one-sided opening 45 minutes, Tuesday night’s game might well have turned into one of those horrible scenarios that have become oh so familiar for the Blaugranes over recent seasons.
Fortunately for Hansi Flick and everyone else of a Barca persuasion, Dani Olmo was right on time with a sublime finish immediately after the break.
It was no more than both he and his team-mates deserved and meant a ninth goal in 11 starts for the Spaniard.
Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty ImagesWhilst he’s never really been considered as a first-choice by Flick his goalscoring record speaks for itself, and in the absence of an injured Robert Lewandowski, the 26-year-old will almost certainly be looked towards to provide some more moments of inspiration.
The way he finds space when seemingly there is none, and the opportunities he’s therefore able to craft for himself or his team-mates, should ensure that he gives Hansi Flick some food for thought at the very least when picking his Copa del Rey final XI.
Ansu Fati was back in the starting line up for the first time this calendar year, and his 62 minute cameo saw the crowd heartily chant his name on more than one occasion.
Photo by Maria Gracia Jimenez/Soccrates/Getty ImagesThe only thing that the striker didn’t do was get on the score sheet but it wasn’t for the want of trying.
Ansu looked sharp and effervescent throughout and against a slightly less defensive set-up might well have grabbed himself a much-needed goal and confidence boost.
Given that it was only his 10th appearance of the season - four of which have been for five minutes or less - his future is clearly away from Barcelona, but on Tuesday night’s form that’s a real shame.
Once again Pedri ran the show and if anyone wants to know what selflessness means, just take a look at the Canary Islander’s way of operating.
Photo by David Ramos/Getty ImagesHe ran himself ragged for the duration of the game, motoring up and down the pitch to supplement his attacking and defensive colleagues.
His was a master class in what team work means and it’s no wonder he’s coveted by so many other European teams.
It’s as much thanks to his doggedness and determination as anything else that Mallorca had to resort to feeding off scraps.
With El Clasico looming large on the horizon, Barca at least showed that they can mix it and still come out on top against a defensive line.
Real Madrid will have been watching with interest...
Another crucial three points | Source: Barca Blaugranes
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