An amazing goal by Lamine Yamal helped Barcelona secure a 1-0 victory against a determined Real Mallorca, propelling the La Liga champions to second place in Spain on Friday.
Plagued by injuries, Xavi's reorganized Barca team had difficulty handling Mallorca's physical play until Yamal's exceptional play earned the resurgent home team all three points.
Barcelona now have 61 points with ten games left, trailing leaders Real Madrid by five points. Real Madrid will face Celta Vigo on Sunday, while Girona is on 59 points before Saturday's home match against Osasuna.
This victory also comes at a crucial time ahead of the Champions League last 16 clash with Napoli on Tuesday, with the tie currently level at 1-1 from the first leg.
The 16-year-old Yamal made a decisive play on 73 minutes, taking the ball on the edge of the area, making a 180-degree turn, and unleashing an unstoppable strike.
Playing on a well-maintained pitch at their temporary Montjuic stadium, Barcelona had largely struggled to score with four changes from the team that drew 0-0 at Athletic Bilbao last week.
Ilkay Gundogan missed a penalty on 24 minutes after a foul on Raphinha, and Predrag Rajkovic made a good save, while Joao Felix nearly broke the deadlock but missed the target.
Barcelona's goalkeeper, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, also made a strong save to deny a header from Manu Morlanes on 38 minutes.
Serving a suspension and unable to be on the field, Xavi was forced to make four changes from the team's 0-0 draw with Bilbao due to injuries to Frenkie De Jong and Pedri, Robert Lewandowski starting on the bench, and Ronald Araujo being suspended. Yamal was one of the players brought in.
Many had dismissed Barca's chances of retaining their Liga title after a string of poor results in January, especially when Xavi announced that he would leave his post at the end of the season.
Real Madrid will take on former coach Rafa Benitez and his struggling Celta Vigo side on Sunday as they aim to recover from last weekend's draw against Valencia.
AFP
