Barcelona extend lead at the top to boost title hopes

Barcelona have extended their lead in the La Liga table, boosting their title hopes after a hard-fought 1-0 win at home to Mallorca on Tuesday night.

Spain international Olmo’s goal just a minute into the second half was enough to give Hansi Flick’s side a vital win, as they now move seven points clear of arch-rivals Real Madrid, who play on Wednesday.

Barcelona inched closer to the La Liga title with a 1-0 win over Mallorca on Tuesday, which took it seven points clear of Real Madrid.

Hansi Flick’s side, aiming for a potential treble, outplayed the visitor but could not extend its lead at the Olympic Stadium.

Dani Olmo for Barcelona — Dani Olmo got the only goal in Barcelona’s 1-0 win against Mallorca(Image credit: Getty Images)

Flick may have been forced to tweak his team after speculations of some fringe players being angry about not playing in their dramatic win against Celta Vigo.

Flick effected some significant changes ahead of Saturday’s Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid, with the likes of Hector Fort, Eric Garci, and even Ansu Fati getting a start to allow regular starters a well-earned rest.

As expected, these alterations did have an effect as Barcelona struggled to break down a resilient Mallorca side in the first half.

The League leaders created a few chances, but a combination of goalkeeper Leo Roman and the Mallorca defence ensured that it stayed at 0-0 until the half-time.

The whistle was blown by referee Miguel Angel Ortiz Arias for the second half to commence, and Barcelona managed to find the breakthrough less than a minute into the period.

Garcia’s pass into Dani Olmo from the right, inside the penalty area, before Olmo curled the ball into the far corner and out of the reach of Roman, was enough for the Catalans side for the night. Flick’s side looked relieved after the goal, and they were able to see the match out.

They did have several chances to make it 2-0, but the likes of Fati, Lamine Yamal, and Pau Victor were all denied by Roman, who delivered a fantastic performance in the Mallorca goal.

Mallorca appealed for a penalty in stoppage time when Garcia held Abdon Prats in the box, but their appeals were waved away.

Barcelona has five games remaining in La Liga, including a mouth-watering Clasico showdown against Real Madrid on May 11.

The result sees Barcelona move seven points clear at the top of the La Liga standings.

The leaders will only hope the gap will remain the same when Madrid play Getafe on Wednesday. However, a win for Los Blancos will see them go back to a four-point gap on Wednesday.

Nevertheless, it is another step towards the title for Flick’s side, who can now look forward to this week’s Copa del Rey final at La Cartuja against their El Clásico rivals Real Madrid.