Posted by Barcelona got to within a point of fourth place in the Spanish La Liga table with victory at Mallorca. Luuk de Jong scored the game-winning goal from Oscar Mingueza’s cross at the back post in the first half.
Xavi’s side, which was missing a number of first-team players due to Covid and injuries, dominated for long stretches but were frequently disappointed.
De Jong was the major threat, hitting the woodwork twice in the first half, including once with a bicycle kick.
Late in the game, Mallorca sought for an equalizer as Dani Rodriguez’s tempting ball was headed inches over the bar by Fer Nino, then Marc-Andre ter Stegen made a superb save to deny Jaume Costa.
Barcelona were missing 17 players in total, including regulars Dani Alves, Ousmane Dembele, Jordi Alba, Philippe Coutinho, Gavi and Serginho Dest.
Earlier this week, Xavi said it was “crazy” that La Liga were allowing the game to go ahead given the state of the teams’ respective squads.
But his young players, with an average age of 24 years and 201 days, managed to get the job done.
Source: BBC Sport