Olmo Strikes Early in Second Half as Barcelona Overwhelms Resilient Mallorca

Barcelona delivered a commanding performance against Mallorca, with Dani Olmo emerging as the hero after scoring the only goal of the match just 41 seconds into the second half. Despite an onslaught of opportunities, Barcelona couldn’t find the net in the first half, unleashing 24 shots without success. Their persistence eventually paid off early in the second half through Olmo’s clinical left-footed finish, calming the anxious crowd at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys.

Mallorca’s goalkeeper, Leo Roman, was the standout performer for the visitors, putting in a spectacular display that kept his team alive. His first-half efforts included impressive saves to deny both Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres. Roman's resilience was particularly evident during a chaotic moment in the box where he and his defenders thwarted four Barcelona attempts in a frantic 15-second sequence.

Although Mallorca managed just 22% possession during the first 45 minutes, they showed flashes of danger on the counterattack. They breached Barcelona’s high defensive line on three separate occasions, though all efforts were ultimately nullified by the offside flag. Despite the pressure, they managed to hold on until the break, prompting whistles of frustration from the home crowd.

Barcelona coach Hansi Flick, rotating his squad ahead of a crucial Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid, made seven changes to his lineup. Seeking a second goal to seal the result, he brought on Raphinha and Fermin Lopez in the second half. However, it was Roman who continued to steal the spotlight, making a total of 11 saves to prevent further damage.

The Catalan giants fired off an astounding 40 shots throughout the match—setting a new season record in La Liga—yet could only breach Mallorca’s defense once. On the other hand, Mallorca struggled to pose any threat in attack and failed to register a single shot on target during the entire match.

With this hard-fought victory, Barcelona extended their lead at the top of La Liga to seven points, placing additional pressure on second-placed Real Madrid ahead of their midweek clash against Getafe. The win brings them one step closer to domestic glory, as they maintain their relentless push for the title.

Mallorca, despite the loss, remained in seventh position with 44 points, keeping their European hopes alive. They now sit just a point ahead of Celta Vigo, who have a game in hand. While they fell short against Barcelona, their spirited defensive display—anchored by Roman’s heroics—earned them praise, even in defeat.