Fc Barcelona will resume their La Liga campaign and the next challenge they face as of now is RCD Mallorca.
To get an idea of what Los Bermellones bring to the table which can potentially go against the Blaugrana side, or might favor them, it’s necessary to analyze the stats and advanced metrics to have an approximate idea of what they might have in store for us. We will be sticking to available parameters from this season as they give a better account of the current run of form.
Mallorca doesn’t generate a lot of xG as they rank 18th in La Liga with 0.65 xG per 90, and 3.9 in total across all matches – but they have scored 6 goals from that, meaning they can be pretty clinical. As for xG conceded from opponents, they rank 10th with 1.35 xG against per 90 with 8.1 in total, and they have conceded 7 goals from them, meaning they are a reasonably okayish side with regards to the defensive aspect.
Their goalkeeper has a 78.9 save percentage which is 5th in La Liga, and it might be a frustrating day for our players if we don’t produce quality chances. He is also decent in distribution, completing 49.2% of launches exceeding 40 yards (5th in the league). Our defenders need to win the aerial duels or this can give them a significant advantage. Combining this with their Aerially dominant Striker Vedat Muriqi – it can be a tough day at the office for the defenders in the Garnet and Blue.
Coming to the offensive side of things, they have an astounding 0.12 goal per shot rate which stands 3rd in the league and is the same as Atletico Madrid. They are not very penetrative with their passing – 5.83 Key Passes per 90 only (18th in the league) and 20 passes in Final Third per 90 (also 18th in the league). They aren’t very progressive as well, having the second least progressive passes in the league which is 19.8 progressive passes per 90.
Los Piratas have a very underwhelming record when it comes to important parameters such as Shot creating actions (SCA) and Goal creating actions (GCA) – having a meager 12.17 SCA/90 and 1.33 GCA/90 which stands at 18th and 15th in the league respectively.
Coming to the other side of the pitch, Mallorca’s defense – They are third in terms of getting dribbled past by their opponents (10.0 times per 90, 3rd in the league) which means take-ons will be very important against them, which highlights the importance of Forwards like Dembele and Raphinha who excel in exploiting defenses in 1-on-1 situations.
Los Piratas also rank 18th in successful pressures (23.4%). Their presence in the opposition’s penalty box also isn’t very significant – with a very scarce 11.8 touches per 90, the 2nd lowest in the league. But they are very successful at dribbling past players offensively – 2nd highest in the league with an astronomical 64.6% success rate. Coming to other important factors, they rank highest in the Spanish Division in Fouls committed per 90, committing nearly 21.2 fouls per 90 minutes. They also win 53.8% of Aerial Duels, which puts them 8th in the league in this particular metric.
All in all, Los Bermellones are a decent side. Though the start they had to the season can’t be justified through stats as they don’t particularly look very overwhelming in any, they certainly have the potential to surprise us. If we focus on their weaknesses and hit them right where it hurts them the most, It can be a game just like we had against Real Valladolid.
