By Sulaimon Jamiu
Barcelona have moved up to second place in the LaLiga table overnight as they sealed a 2-1 win at home to Mallorca.
La Blaugrana now have an advantage in their race to end the campaign as runners up to Real Madrid, with four games left to play in 2021/22 campaign.
Xavi’s side dominated either side of the break at the Camp Nou, with Memphis Depay netting his first league goal since March 6, to hand them an early lead.
Sevilla’s 1-1 draw with Cadiz on Friday opened the door for the Catalans, and the Blaugrana made the most of their opportunity two days later.
The Catalans got up and running first, with Memphis Depay opening the scoring midway through the first half. Showing how important their left-hand side is creatively, Jordi Alba picked out the Dutchman with a fine curling ball that Memphis was able to control before finishing expertly.
In the celebrations, though, Gerard Pique made his way to Xavi Hernandez and requested a substitution. The Catalan had pulled up inside a quarter of an hour with an issue, as his recent fitness concerns continue to plague him.
While Barcelona’s nerves were settled somewhat by the opening goal, it took until the second half for them to score their second of the day. Sergio Busquets got his name on the scoresheet as he made the most of a loose ball, arriving in time to coolly slot into the corner from the edge of the area.
Busquets thought he had created a third when he clipped a ball to Memphis who, in turn, found Ferran Torres to tap in, but VAR ruled the goal out.
Mallorca managed to set up a cagey last 10 minutes as they pulled one back in the 79th. Salva Sevilla put in an excellent cross that Antonio Raillo volleyed excellently home.
The goal was no more than a consolation and a momentary scare for Barcelona, though, with Xavi’s side holding on for three points.
