Barcelona Pulls Ahead in LaLiga: Dani Olmo Delivers Decisive Goal Against Mallorca
Barcelona Maintains Momentum with Slim Win Over Mallorca
Barcelona fans will be breathing a little easier after their team's tense 1-0 win against Mallorca at Montjuïc. The match, played on April 22 in Matchday 33, kept the Catalan giants at the head of the LaLiga table, extending their gap to seven points over rivals Real Madrid. This victory was less about flair and more about grinding out a result, especially with key stars missing.
Manager Xavi opted to give several of his regular starters a breather ahead of their highly anticipated Copa del Rey final. That meant the absence of heavyweights like Robert Lewandowski up front, Ilkay Gündogan in the middle, and Marc-André ter Stegen between the sticks. Even so, their replacements stepped up under the pressure.
Olmo’s Moment of Magic and Mallorca’s Resistance
The first half was tight, with both teams struggling to find openings. But right after the interval, Dani Olmo made the difference. Just seconds into the second half, Eric García picked him out with a smart pass. Olmo, spotting space at the edge of the area, wasted no time. He sent a sharp, left-footed shot low into the corner, leaving Mallorca goalkeeper Leo Roman with no chance.
Mallorca didn’t roll over. In fact, Roman gave a performance worth remembering. He denied Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres with alert reflexes, keeping the underdogs in the game longer than most expected. Every surge forward from Barcelona was met with defensive grit from Mallorca, who wouldn’t let the favorites have it easy.
Despite being ahead, Barcelona pushed to put the game to bed. Ansu Fati saw chances go begging and Ferran threatened with his pace, but Roman’s saves made Barça work for every inch. When Xavi called on substitutes like Raphinha and Frenkie de Jong later in the half, it was clear he wanted fresh legs to tighten things up while still searching for a killer second goal.
With so many big names watching from the bench, Barcelona’s depth was under the spotlight. Players who usually play supporting roles had a chance to show why they belong in a title chase. That defensive stability was vital, especially as the game wore on and Mallorca pushed for an equalizer. García and Koundé anchored the back line, limiting Mallorca’s real threats to a few dangerous moments late on.
The win was more than just three points; it was a signal of how this Barcelona side can adapt. Even without star power, they kept possession, slowed the tempo when needed, and kept their eyes on the prize. The final whistle left Barcelona with a valuable cushion atop LaLiga and confidence heading into their huge showdown with Real Madrid.
Now, with only five games left in the season and momentum on their side, Barcelona knows every match is a final. Still, the depth and mental toughness on display against Mallorca suggest they're more than ready for the battles ahead.