FC Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal celebrates scoring towards Mallorca in La Liga on March 8, 2024
| Photo Credit: Reuters
Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal struck a fantastic late purpose to safe a hard-fought 1-0 house win towards plucky Mallorca on Friday to maneuver inside 5 factors of leaders Real Madrid.
The victory put the hosts provisionally in second place on 61 factors, two away from Girona, as they closed in on Real, who host struggling Celta Vigo on Sunday.
“Effectiveness is what made this a tough game for us. They did a very good job. It was hard for us,” Barca boss Xavi Hernandez mentioned.
“We competed well, we created clear chances to win more than 1-0. But we’ve won, the three points are welcome”.
The 16-year-old Yamal gave Barca the lead within the 73rd minute with an excellent curling shot into the highest left-hand nook from the sting of the world for his fourth league purpose this season.
“I’m very happy for the win and the clean sheet. I tried to hold the full back and as they left me some space I looked for the shot,” Yamal instructed DAZN.
“It was a game of hard work. They made it difficult for us. Anything that helps the team is great for me. Scoring a goal with our fans in front of us is always a dream.”
Ilkay Gundogan might have put Barcelona forward within the twenty fourth minute with a penalty following a VAR verify for a problem on Raphinha. However, Mallorca goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic dived to his left to disclaim the German worldwide.
Copa del Rey finalists Mallorca have been harmful on the break and created a number of probabilities however couldn’t discover the end. They keep in fifteenth on 27 factors, eight away from the relegation zone.
Xavi, who misplaced midfielders Frenkie De Jong and Pedri to harm within the final sport, was pressured to take off Raphinha within the thirty seventh after a foul on the Brazilian ahead.
However, the supervisor mentioned the correct winger doesn’t have a critical harm and will probably be out there once they host Napoli of their Champions League final 16-second leg on Tuesday, with the sport stage at 1-1.
“Everyone who was in the squad today will be there against Napoli,” he mentioned. “I’m always optimistic despite the situation we’re in. This victory gives us confidence. It doesn’t seem like it’s important but it is. We need the fans for Tuesday’s game.”
Source: www.thehindu.com
