Too feverish defensively, FC Barcelona almost conceded its first defeat of the season in Mallorca on Tuesday during the 7th day of La Liga, but ended up snatching a 2-2 draw thanks to its young talents from La Masia.
It was midfielder Fermin Lopez, 20, who entered the game a few minutes earlier, who allowed the Catalans to equalize with the flat of the right foot on a cross from Raphinha, at the end of a new action initiated by his friend Lamine Yamal, 16 years old, on his right wing (75th, 2-2). Before Lopez, one of the most promising players at the academy, saved him from a first misstep, Barça was unrecognizable.
Xavi’s men, who remained on a positive dynamic with six consecutive successes including two “manitas” 5-0 against Antwerp and Betis Sevilla, were simply moved by the 16th-placed Mallorcans at kick-off, and who did not So they had nothing to lose. They opened the scoring in the 8th minute, taking advantage of an unusual recovery error from Ter Stegen. After a cross pushed back by Araujo, Antonio Sanchez headed towards Muriqi, who finished with a flat left foot at the end (1-0).
Beaten in the physical impact, the Blaugrana had great difficulty projecting themselves forward in the absence of their two playing masters Pedri and De Jong, injured. So it was Raphinha who took charge of leading the Barcelona revolt, which however remained timid. João Félix (20th) then Ferran Torres (25th, 28th) were, however, too short to catch the Brazilian’s curled crosses.
The Spanish striker then offered himself a first clear opportunity, but came up against Rajkovic from the left (39th), before Raphinha took responsibility and put Barça back in the match by equalizing with a powerful curling shot from the left to the 16 meters (41st, 1-0). Launched in depth, the Brazilian missed the opportunity to give Barça the advantage and score a double (45th). Then, in one of the only collective movements managed by the Blaugrana in this first half, Rajkovic had a firm hand and diverted the cross shot from João Félix, served behind by Raphinha.
Unusually feverish and while they managed to get back into the game, Xavi’s men were surprised again and conceded a largely avoidable second goal just before half-time. On a long clearance from the Serbian goalkeeper deflected with a header by Muriqi, Prats won his duel with Araujo and anticipated Ter Stegen’s exit by tackling with his right foot at the end of the race (48th, 2-1), giving the advantage to Majorca.
As Getafe did on the first day, Mallorca tried everything to maintain their goal lead and slow down the game, not hesitating to let a leg or an elbow drag whenever they had the chance. occasion. In distress after João Félix’s attempt crashed into Rajkovic’s left post (55th), Xavi called his young guns Lamine Yamal and Fermin Lopez, the two crack players from La Masia, to the rescue.
And Yamal almost proved decisive from the start by causing a penalty on a risky tackle from Copete (65th). But the contact was too light according to the referee after viewing the VAR. The Spain international persevered, bringing the spark that was missing to an overly timid Barcelona attack. It is he who initiates the action leading to the goal of Fermin Lopez (75th, 2-2), which allows FC Barcelona to narrowly avoid a first defeat this season.
Still leader for the moment, Barça thus gives the chance to its Catalan neighbor Girona to take the lead in the standings alone on Wednesday at Villarreal, and offers the opportunity to Real Madrid to get back in front if they beat Las Palmas. Earlier in the evening, Sevilla FC, the Catalans’ future opponent on Friday, gave themselves some breathing room by humiliating bottom-placed Almeria 5-1, thanks in particular to goals from En-Nesyri and Lukebakio.
