Raphinha scored twice in 19 minutes as Barcelona survived a scare to win 5-1 at Mallorca after Robert Lewandowski failed to start for his club for the first time this season.
Lewandowski is the top scorer in La Liga and the Champions League but has only netted once in more than six-and-a-half hours of Spanish football and was an unused substitute in Barca’s first win in four top-flight matches.
“Lewandowski needed a rest – we had to take care of him,” said Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, via AS. “Ferran [Torres] had a very good game and scored the first goal, which is very important for him. Whenever we need him, he is there.
“Today it was not necessary to play with Lewandowski. To be honest, yesterday he was not at full capacity and I had the feeling that it was a good idea to give him a rest. He has played a lot of minutes.”
Mallorca gift Barcelona a goal! 🎁
Ferran Torres profits from a defensive mix-up and finds the back of the net 🔵🔴 pic.twitter.com/0U5Q6rL6ow
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) December 3, 2024
Mallorca vs Barcelona
Making his first start since an eight-game injury absence, Torres capitalised on hapless defending to score in the 12th minute before Vedat Muriqi equalised two minutes before half-time.
Winger Raphinha’s penalty put Barca back in front 11 minutes after the break and, after the former Leeds United livewire scored again, Frenkie de Jong and Pau Victor increased their advantage late on.
Barcelona are four points ahead of second-placed reigning champions Real Madrid, who have two games in hand. “Today was a very important day for us,” observed Flick, whose side lost 2-1 at home to Las Palmas on Saturday.
Barcelona take the lead! 🔵🔴
Lamine Yamal wins a penalty on his return to action and Raphinha tucks it away 🔥 pic.twitter.com/THb6gYPpcA
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) December 3, 2024
“We had a lot of chances and we could have scored one or two more goals in the first half. We started the second half doing what we had already done in the first half.
“It is true that in the first half we struggled at times but, in the second, we found our feet. I like the team not to concede any goals. Today it wasn’t possible, but I can’t complain. It was a very good game; I’m very happy.”
Lamine Yamal ‘incredible’
Flick said he was glad November was over, having seen his side follow up a 4-0 win at Madrid on October 26 with four points from a possible 12 in the league during the month that followed.
The German praised 17-year-old winger Lamine Yamal for winning the penalty. “He also gave an assist to Raphinha and started the play for Pau Victor’s goal,” said Flick. “That is what we need from him.
What a ball by Lamine Yamal 😮💨
Special assist by the returning star to set up Raphinha for his second goal tonight 🔥 pic.twitter.com/nECsvONE6e
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) December 3, 2024
“Lamine is always important; he is an incredible player. He is the one who makes the biggest difference to the team. He could have scored one or two goals, but he gave the team goals.
“I want to highlight all the other players. I always say that it is important to talk about the group, how we defend and how we attack.
“It is not always easy to defend as we do, with such an advanced line. They are very young players and we ask a lot of them.”
