Barca vs Mallorca: A must-win game for Barcelona at Camp Nou to cement their position in the top Four and ensure the Champions League qualification for next season.
Match Details
Barca vs Mallorca
Competition: La Liga
Match Day: 34
Venue: Camp Nou
Referee: Pablo Gonzalez Fuertes
When and Where to watch
Date and Time: Sunday, May 1st, 2022, 9:00 pm CET/WAT (Barcelona & Nigeria), 8:00 pm GMT (UK), 3:00 pm ET, 12:00 pm PT (USA), 12:30 am IST (India, Monday), 12:00 am PST (Pak, Monday)
How to watch on Tv: Not Available (USA), TSN 4 (Canada), LaLigaTV (UK), SuperSport (Nigeria), MTV (India), Geo Super (Pakistan), Movistar Liga de Campeones (Spain)
How to watch online: ESPN + (USA), (USA), LaLigaTV (UK)
Match Overview
Fc Barcelona will welcome relegation-threatened RCD Mallorca to Camp Nou on Sunday night in La Liga with Xavi’s side aiming to halt a shocking series of performances at the Camp Nou this month.
Next season’s Champions League spot is just two wins away from the remaining 5 fixtures of La Liga Santander. From being a 9th placed side, when Xavi took over to Finish as runners-up in Xavi’s debut half-season would be an absolute success but still, the job is not done yet and Barca have to win their remaining fixtures.
Barca cannot afford to be complacent anymore and cannot take Mallorca as a team close to the relegation zone. Since the appointment of their new manager, they have shown signs of improvement.
Mallorca’s season has been a huge disappointment compared to the initial expectations. With such a talented squad the Balearians possess, including the likes of Kang-in Lee, Pablo Maffeo, Matthew Hoppe, and Takefusa Kubo, battling against relegation – only 2 points clear of the line – is clearly not the place this team is predestined.
So, due to the team’s weak performance, Javier Aguirre took over as the team’s new coach at the end of March. Since his appointment, the results started to improve, and The Pirates seem to be in a good shape, winning 2 out of their last 3 games, including a victory over Atletico.
The momentum they found lately could partially come from the so-called ‘new manager bounce’, but the Mexican boss also switched to a 3-at-the-back system, which we will most probably see today as well, based on defensive solidity, not an eye-catching style of football, but trademark to the veteran manager.
In terms of goalscoring, Vedat Muriqi will be a sensible absence due to suspension, as the Kosovo international is already the top scorer of Mallorca with 4 goals – alongside the veteran Salva Sevilla, another one to look for – despite joining only in January on loan from Lazio.
Xavi’s squad is not in the best shape and many key players are not available for the final stretch of the season. After Pedri’s injury, Barca’s midfield suffered another blow as Nico got injured during a training match and will not be available for the rest of the season, leaving Riqui Puig the only available midfielder on the bench for Xavi. Frenike de Jong and Busquets are only one card away from suspension and Barca’s next game is against the Copa Del Rey winners Real Betis.
Eric Garcia is expected to start alongside Ronald Araujo as Gerad Pique is still recovering from his injury and his availability still remains a doubt. After Dest’s injury, Sergi Roberto’s relapse, and Oscar Minguesa’s unavailability due to covid, Dani Alves is the only available Right-Back and he is expected to start against Mallorca.
However, there is a fresh breath of air for Xavi and Barca fans as Ansu Fati is expected to make a return against Mallorca after spending a long spell on the sidelines.
Dembele missed yesterday’s training because of tonsillitis and his participation is doubtful in the match. Adama is expected to take his place and start alongside Ferran and Aubameyang.
Key Stats
Fc Barcelona:
Last 5 Games (All competitions): L-W-L-L-W
Barcelona 0-1 Rayo Vallecano | La Liga
Real Sociedad 0-1 Barcelona | La Liga
Barcelona 0-1 Cadiz | La Liga
Barcelona 2-3 Eintracht Frankfurt | Uefa Europa League
Levante 2-3 Barcelona | La Liga
Current Standing: 3rd in La Liga
RCD Mallorca:
Last 5 Games (All competitions): W-L-W-L-L
Mallorca 2-1 Alaves | La Liga
Elche 3-0 Mallorca | La Liga
Mallorca 1-0 Atletico Madrid | La Liga
Getafe 1-0 Mallorca | La Liga
Espanyol 1-0 Mallorca | La Liga
Current Standing: 16th in La Liga
Barca vs Mallorca: Potential Line up
Fc Barcelona:
Formation: 4-3-3
Goal Keeper: Ter Stegen
Defenders: Dani, Araujo, Eric, Alba
Midfielders: Busquets, Gavi, Frenkie
Forwards: Adama, Aubameyang, Ferran