Champions Barcelona wasted no time in dismantling teams in the way they did like last season. The match was an unpredictable affair with multiple yellow cards and goals from Ballon D’Or contenders. The score was Mallorca 0-3 Barcelona. Here are some key takeaways.
Barcelona could have scored far more. The two red cards were both correctly awarded, but Barcelona scored 2 of their 3 before the first red card. The advantage of two men over Mallorca wasn’t utilized and they were only able to find the third in the 94th minute. It could have been a way to rack up goal difference.
Mallorca were not robbed. Both red cards were fairly attributed by the referee, as the first card was a second yellow that made sense to award and the challenge on Joan Garcia by Muriqi was reckless and he hit the keeper’s ear with his boot. Any claims of unfairness are unfounded and Mallorca adjusted very well, almost keeping Barcelona out the entire rest of the match where they had 10 and 9 men.
Lamine Yamal and Raphinha will continue to be some of the best players this season. Specifically Lamine Yamal, but both Barcelona forwards showed out in this match with a goal each and an assist for Lamine Yamal. There are people skeptical of the ‘one-season-wonder’ possibility for Raphinha or the high expectations for Lamine Yamal that he may not reach, but the two have already begun their work in the 25/26 campaign.
The match was very docile and muted. The game was low-intensity, slow paced and underwhelming. Barcelona weren’t efficient enough in attack after the cards and Mallorca bunkered in, making sure to not concede and get embarassed, and as a result the match was relatively uninteresting to the viewer and it didn’t fully show what each side had to offer.
Barcelona are still favorites to retain the title. The controlling nature of Barcelona is likely to persist this season and the squads lack of huge departures will mean they will remain a similar core throughout the season. Unless Real Madrid significantly improve in various areas across their team, Barcelona should be crowned title winners again.