Spanish La Liga – Barcelona vs. Mallorca – Visitors silent the Nou Camp again
The match between Barcelona and Mallorca ended in a 1-1 draw as the fans in the Barcelona home ground saw the Spanish champions lagging behind against another visiting club in the Nou Camp. However, the home team did manage to have an outstanding first half.
With Xavi Hernandez injured along with Adriano and David Villa suspended for the match, Pep Guardiola decided to play Lionel Messi, Bojan Krkic, Pedro Rodriguez and Andres Iniesta on the attacking side. Seydou Keita and Javier Mascherano
featured in the midfield while Dani Alves, Gerard Pique, Diego Milito and Eric Abidal featured in the defensive line up of Barcelona. Victor Valdes was the one who featured as the "goal stopper."
On the other hand, Aouate featured as the goalkeeper for Mallorca and he was assisted by Marti Crespi, Ramis, Ramos Silva and Kevin Garcia Martinez, at the back. Jonathan De Guzman, Llui Marti, Juan Bruno, Nsue Lopez and Gonzalo Castro
featured in the midfield as Fernando Cavenaghi was the one who was playing as the "sole" striker for the club.
Josep Pep Guardiola ended the game with Messi, Bojan, Iniseta, Thiago, Jeffren and Nolito all going on for attack but the goal that the Blaugrana side was looking for was never found. Barcelona did deserve more though; they managed
to pull off an extraordinary performance during the first half as it was seen that the home side had 85% possession of the ball during the first 30 minutes of the game.
It was the legendary Lionel Messi who managed to score again for his club as the little Argentinean managed to put Barcelona ahead during the 21st minute mark. However, it was Nsue's equalizer before the end of the first
half that knocked the visitors back into the game.
Barcelona simply outclassed Mallorca with a fabulous start of the game. The Catalan giants played with swift pace and great possession as it was Iniesta who was "pulling the strings" as Xavi was out of action. It was Keita who was
fulfilling the defensive responsibilities in the midfield along with the Argentinean captain Javier Mascherano.
The first goal came with the help of Daniel Alves who did a fine job by passing the ball onto Pedro who managed to back heel it to Lionel Messi. The best player in the world showed everyone why he was given that name and made no mistake
as he slotted the ball into the net. However, no one knew that it was the last goal by Barcelona in the game.
The home side was performing perfectly and Abidal along with Pique, Keita, Bojan and Messi all had chances extend the lead as all of them moved forward to score goals for their side. All of these chances were later "felt" by the home
team as a 41st minute header from Nsue found the goal and helped the visitors come on level terms with Barcelona. It did seem to be "hard luck" for the Catalan giants as they were playing amazing football and still managed to concede in the first
half.
Soon after the equalizer from the visitors, it was seen that the entire pace and the "enthusiasm" that the team had during the first 45 minutes, was simply gone. The home team simply failed to take control of the ball during the second half and it was Nsue
who almost found the net during the 51st minute and later it was Kevin who saw himself in front of Valdes but failed to finish.
With Thiago, Keita and Lionel Messi becoming a threat up front, the visitors started to fall back and later it was seen that it was not only difficult for the home side to penetrate through Mallorca's defence but also impossible as
Messi was feeling left out on the right. It was clearly seen that the absence of Xavi from the midfield was largely felt.
However, the last 15 minutes it was all Barcelona as the Catalan giants started to camp around Aouate's goal. With Nolito and Jeffren both added to the team during the second half to add the "striking force" of the Blaugrana side,
Barcelona were seen attacking time and time again.
Even though the home side tried their best to score another one, they simply couldn't find a way past Mallorca's defensive walls. However, it was Bojan who almost managed to seal a win for the Catalan giants but the Spaniard's shot
only managed to find the post.
The match ended in a sad ending for the home team as luck simply failed to smile for Pep Guaridola's side!
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