Rafinha scored twice in the 19th minute as Barcelona survived a scare to beat Mallorca 5-1 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 scored just 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 games.
“Lewandowski needed rest – we have to take care of him,” said Barcelona manager Hansi Flick. 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.
“It was not necessary to play with Lewandowski today. To be honest, he wasn’t at his best yesterday and I felt it was good to give him a rest. He played a lot of minutes.”
“Mallorca” gave a goal to “Barcelona”! 🎁
Ferran Torres benefits 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 after an eight-match injury absence, Torres took advantage of some poor defending to score in the 12th minute before Vedat Muriki equalized two minutes before half-time.
Winger Rafinha’s penalty put Barca back in front 11 minutes after the break and Frenkie de Jong and Pau Victor extended their lead late on after the former Leeds United man scored again.
Barcelona is four points ahead of Real Madrid with two games in hand. “Today was a very important day for us,” said Flick, whose side lost 2-1 at home to Las Palmas on Saturday.
“Barcelona” is leading! 🔵🔴
Lamin Yamal takes the penalty after his return and Rafinha saves it 🔥 pic.twitter.com/THb6gYPpcA
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) December 3, 2024
“We had a lot of chances and could have scored one or two more goals in the first half. We did in the second half what we did 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 that the team does not concede any goals. It wasn’t possible today, but I can’t complain. It was a very good game; I am very happy”.
Lamin Yamal “mind”
Flick said he was happy that November was over and saw his side win 4-0 in Madrid on October 26 and have four points from 12 possible in the league over the following month.
The German praised 17-year-old winger Lamin Yamal for winning the penalty shootout. “He also assisted Rafinha and opened the game for Pau Victor,” Flick said. “This is what we need from him.
What a ball from Lamin Yamal 😮💨
A special ace from the returning star to set up Rafinha’s second goal tonight 🔥 pic.twitter.com/nECsvONE6e
— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) December 3, 2024
“Lamin is always important; he is an amazing player. He is the one who makes the biggest difference for the team. He could have scored a couple of goals, but he gave the team goals.
“I want to emphasize all the other players. I always say it’s important to think about the group, how we defend and how we attack.
“It’s not always easy to defend with such an advanced line like we do. They are very young players and we ask a lot of them.”
