Hansi Flick reflected on a near-perfect night for Barcelona after he was able to rest several key players while still maintaining their position at the top of La Liga with a 1-0 victory over Real Mallorca.
Flick left out the likes of Raphinha, Frenkie de Jong and Jules Kounde and handed starts to squad players Ansu Fati and Hector Font but his side still dominated with Dani Olmo grabbing the only goal a minute into the second half.
Barca’s dominance was reflected by the fact they had 40 shots in the game, the most by a team in La Liga this season, while Mallorca failed to have a single shot on target.
🎙️ HANSI FLICK: “Everyone was included in how we wanted to play and this is good to see.” #BarçaMallorca pic.twitter.com/C2FuHGRzws
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) April 23, 2025
Pressure turns to Real Madrid
The win moved Barcelona seven points clear of Real Madrid, who visit Getafe tonight, and means Flick’s squad is well rested ahead of Saturday’s Copa del Rey final against Carlo Ancelotti’s men in Seville.
Flick said: “Everyone has done a very good job, it has been positive that everyone feels part of the team and that is good for the group. It’s my job to manage it, always thinking about the next game, which is the most important.
“We thought a lot about which players should come and in and which should rest. We give a lot of importance to how to manage our players. We have made many changes, but I think we have been right.”
The changes had little impact on Barcelona’s flow and Mallorca were hanging on long before Olmo grabbed the only goal with a lovely finish.
“I think we played a very good game, with many chances, many options to shoot, to score a goal,” Flick added. “Finally we did get one and then kept them at zero, so I’m happy.
“We started very well. We defended as a team, but really the way we have played has been very good and I think we have seen fewer mistakes than in past matches.
“It’s was a fantastic performance.”
40 – @FCBarcelona have attempted 40 total shots against Mallorca, equaling the record in a single @LaLiga match since at least 2003/04 (40 for @realmadrid against Zaragoza in 2011). Prolific. pic.twitter.com/4hDy1gNNgs
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) April 22, 2025
Perfect Pedri stands out again
Flick reserved special praise for Pedri, who was again outstanding in midfield.
He said: ”It’s hard to put a limit on Pedri. He’s playing at a top level. Not only with the ball, but also when he doesn’t have it. He helps us a lot in that defensive element and everyone knows how good he is.”
