LaLiga is not resting, and neither is FC Barcelona, which is getting closer to the league title every day. Hansi Flick’s team welcomes Mallorca on Tuesday, April 22, in a midweek match due to Saturday’s Copa del Rey final. The Azulgrana side returns to the scene in high spirits after staging a great comeback against Celta Vigo with a goal from Raphinha from the penalty spot in added time.
FC Barcelona wants to maintain its 4-point lead in the race for LaLiga
The victory allowed them to maintain their four-point lead over Real Madrid and face this match against Mallorca with much less pressure. Jagoba Arrasate’s side go into the game with several players out through injury and suspension.
Currently, with four points separating Madrid and Barcelona (and with El Clásico still to play), they could increase that gap if Hansi Flick’s side win and the Merengues fail to do so.
In their last match, where they beat Celta Vigo 4-3, there was controversy, but they ended up taking all three points and consolidating their position at the top of the table. Now they will try to beat the Balearic side to continue closing in on the title. But the most immediate challenge is next Saturday’s Clásico against Real Madrid at La Cartuja, which is sure to be an exciting match.
Flick will have to replace the injured Lewandowski
There are only 21 points left to play for and Barça still have a small lead over their fiercest rivals, Real Madrid. The Whites’ goal after being knocked out of the Champions League is to take the lead and win one of the most exciting leagues in recent years.
Half of these finals will have to be played without the league’s top scorer on the pitch, as Robert Lewandowski is suffering from an injury to his left biceps femoris and will be out for two to three weeks. The German coach will have to find solutions to replace the Polish player.
For this match on matchday 33 of LaLiga, the question is whether Flick will decide to rotate his squad in view of what lies ahead. This is nothing less than the Cup final and the first leg of the Champions League semi-finals in the space of a week. Beyond Szczesny, the expectation is that Gerard Martín will play in place of Balde, alongside Cubarsí and Iñigo Martínez.
Pedri could continue to start alongside Frenkie de Jong and Dani Olmo, but pressure from Gavi on the bench keeps the German coach’s choice in doubt. Up front, everything points to Ferrán Torres continuing alongside Lamine Yamal and Raphinha.
As for Mallorca, Arrasate’s side go into the game after a goalless draw at home against Leganés. The Bermellones were not comfortable and were unable to impose their game against a rival who are fighting for survival and playing every game as if it were a final.
Without taking into account this last match against the Pepineros, Jagoba Arrasate’s side are having a great season, which sees them in seventh place, giving them access to the Europa League. The Balearic side have dropped off in the second half of the season, but having picked up 30 points in the first half, they are still in contention for European places.
Confirmed absences
In any case, even if both teams come out firing on all cylinders to close the gap and achieve their goals, it will not be an easy game. This is because fatigue, exhaustion, and the accumulation of games are taking their toll on both FC Barcelona and Mallorca. Flick already felt this in the last game against Celta Vigo, where Lewandowski himself said he felt the need to rest before his injury.
The Catalans have injury absences for Ter Stegen, Lewandowski, Marc Bernal, Marc Casadó, and Alejandro Balde. The German goalkeeper, however, is close to returning, according to Hansi Flick. The German coach has no players suspended, but four are on yellow cards: Iñigo Martínez, Raphinha, Gavi, and Koundé.
Arrasate, meanwhile, will be without Morlanes, Muriqi, Robert Navarro, and Takuma Asano due to injury, as well as Maffeo and Dani Rodríguez, who are suspended.
FC Barcelona lineup
Goalkeeper: Szczesny
Defenders: Araujo, Eric García, Iñigo Martínez, Héctor Fort
Midfielders: Gavi, Pedri, Dani Olmo
Forwards: Lamine Yamal, Ansu Fati, Ferran Torres