Coming off a dramatic late victory over Celta Vigo at the weekend, Barcelona`s busy schedule continues as they welcome Mallorca on Tuesday afternoon. With the La Liga title race still tight, manager Hansi Flick faces the challenge of rotating his squad ahead of the crucial Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid on Saturday. Despite the upcoming Clasico, Barcelona, holding only a four-point lead in the league, cannot afford to lose focus on the immediate challenge.
This match also marks the first time Barcelona will play without star striker Robert Lewandowski. The prolific Polish forward, who has netted 37 goals for the club across all competitions this season, is expected to be out for at least the next three matches due to a left semitendinosus injury. With both the Copa del Rey final and potential Champions League semifinals on the horizon, Barcelona needs to find a new attacking dynamic. This will likely see Ferran Torres deployed as the central striker, supported by Raphinha and Lamine Yamal. While this attacking trio is still potent, managing player minutes will be key for Flick during this intense period.
Match Information
- Date and Time: Tuesday, April 22, 3:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: Estadi Olimpic Lluis Companys, Barcelona, Spain
- Live Stream: ESPN+
- Betting Odds: Barcelona -450, Draw +525, Mallorca +1100
Key Match Storylines
Barcelona: Following Lewandowski`s injury, Flick has publicly backed Ferran Torres to fill the void but has also expressed concerns about the fitness levels of other important players leading up to the game. Midfielders like Frenkie De Jong and Pedri, along with wingers Yamal and Raphinha, are vital components whose fitness is crucial not only for the Copa del Rey final but first and foremost for securing points against Mallorca.
Flick commented on Torres` role: “He`s very important. That we also manage this. He`s in a very good moment in his career, he`s scored ten goals in La Liga. And I think nine is the right position for him… What he shows though too, he`s a fast player, but he can also control the ball, give us [lots] when we defend. But we also have to manage him, because we need him until the end of the season.”
Mallorca currently sits seventh in the league, built on a solid defense, and could potentially contend for a European spot. This emphasizes the need for Barcelona to carefully balance pushing for a win to maintain their league position with managing player welfare.
Mallorca: Their defensive strength is highlighted by conceding one goal or fewer in eight of their last ten matches. While their form away from home has sometimes been inconsistent, a recent 2-0 victory at Real Sociedad on April 12 indicates potential improvement on the road. Facing Barcelona away is a significant challenge that demands absolute focus for the entire duration, as Celta Vigo learned last weekend. For Mallorca, a positive result would be a major boost in their push for European qualification.
Predicted Starting XIs
Barcelona: Wojciech Szczesny, Gerrard Martin, Pau Cubarsi, Ronald Araujo, Jules Kounde, Eric Garcia, Pedri, Lamine Yamal, Fermin Lopez, Raphinha, Ferran Torres
Mallorca: Dominik Greif, Johan Mojica, Jose Copete, Antonio Raillo, Martin Valjent, Mateu Morey, Sergi Darder, Samu, Omar Mascarell, Antonio Sanchez, Cyle Larin
Match Prediction
Despite the absence of Lewandowski, Barcelona still possesses considerable attacking talent capable of making it very difficult for Mallorca to transition out of their own half. Furthermore, Barcelona has repeatedly demonstrated resilience and the ability to fight back, even when trailing. Considering this, a comfortable home victory for Barcelona seems the most likely outcome.
Final Score Prediction: Barcelona 3, Mallorca 1
