The reigning La Liga Champions were pitted against Mallorca in the first game as La Liga began the new season. Barcelona travelled to Mallorca. The Estadi Mallorca Son Moix was waiting for a fine contest, but for Barca it was business as usual. There were no surprises as the Catalans produced yet another clinical display and emerged easy winners.
When I look at Barcelona and the team which the club presently has, I wonder what is there for coach Hansi Flick to do. Just a few words may be, to get the boys going, is all that is required in my opinion. With such class in every player, Barca are tough to survive against and Mallorca however hard they tried, just fell short.
Lamine Yamal who in the opinion of the world and mine too, is Messi re-born. He sublime skills are from another planet as he produced a brilliant pass to set up Raphina for the first goal. It was all too easy as Mallorca were unable to keep the young Yamal in check.
The second goal from Ferran Torres was controversial and to my utter surprise was allowed. Yamal’s strike hit one of the defenders on the head, who went down on the turf. But the referee continued the play despite the player not moving. Torres seized the opportunity and scored. Barcelona had gone two goals clear.
In the interim two Mallorca players in Morlanes and Muriqi were sent off and Mallorca had to play with 9 men for a good 60 minutes of the match.
The magical Lamine Yamal’s incredible left foot was in action again in the closing stages of the match. Yamal created space, bypassed a couple of defenders and then unleashed a curving left footer, that flew into the net. A ripper of a strike from Yamal.
Barcelona ultimately won 3-0 with ease and looked extremely strong in all departments. They will be difficult to dislodge from their perch. Interestingly, Marcus Rashford made his debut for Barca, but had nothing much to do.
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