Barcelona News: 'We competed really well so i'am really happy,' says Xavi after the 1-0 win at Mallorca

Luuk de Jong scored the lone goal of the match on the stroke of half time while goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen made a superb stoppage-time save to secure the win for Barcelona.

Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez; Credit: Twitter/@FCBarcelona
By Sreejith C R | Jan 3, 2022 | 2 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Barcelona boss Xavi Hernandez was very happy after his COVID-19 affected side earned a hard fought 1-0 win against Mallorca in the La Liga fixture at Iberostar stadium on Sunday. The legendary midfielder would have been pleased to see his side start the new year with a victory. The Catalan club traveled to Mallorca with all sorts of players missing out because of COVID-19, injuries and also suspensions. But there was no other choice but to get on with it and find a way to get a result since the La Liga season stops for no one. 

The Barca boss seemed a little emotional after the game but was happy to share his thoughts on the victory that lifted the Catalan giants into fifth place. Luuk de Jong scored the lone goal of the match on the stroke of half time. 

“It’s an amazing victory for us, because we had 17 players out today, so it means a lot,” he said.

“It means we are a team, we are a family, we are a really big group. We competed really well so I’m really happy. This win means a lot. We need to continue and keep going like that because the team made a great effort today.

Luuk and Marc-Andre ter Stegen stepped for Xavi’s side and Seized a much-needed win. Luuk, who probably had the best first half of his short Barca career, hit the woodwork twice before getting on the scoresheet.

The Dutch striker got on the end of a deep cross from right-back Oscar Mingueza and headed home to give the lead to Barcelona. It was only his second goal for the Catalan club.

Ter Stegen made a superb stoppage-time save

Although Barca dominated for most part of the game, the home side grew in confidence as the game progressed and tested Ter Stegen late in the game. In the stoppage time, Jaume Costa got on the end of a deep cross from the right side. But Ter Stegen made a superb save to deny the full-back from point-blank range. 

“Today is not the day to say the things that are missing, but the good things. We must praise the positive things, the first half, Ter Stegen’s save. We leave without conceding a goal, we have known how to suffer … this is football.” 

Barcelona’s great academy system needs to be appreciated as they were able to supply a bunch of teenagers who could rise to the occasion and deliver the result when the club needed the most.

It was a good team performance from Xavi’s side as they displayed great mental strength, and willingness to suffer for a result. The result helped Barcelona to fifth place in the points table with 31 points from 19 games while Mallorca are languishing at the 15th spot with 20 points.