Barcelona provisionally moved back to the top of the La Liga standings by beating Real Mallorca. Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s 63rd-minute strike – his third of the week – proved to be the winner as Barca edged three points clear of Real Madrid, who play Atletico tomorrow night.
Mallorca had won 12 of 13 matches at home coming into this game, having only lost to Sevilla previously, and they can feel somewhat unlucky not to have led at the break after hitting the post twice in the first period. Barca coach Pep Guardiola did not wait long in the second half to send on the big guns, introducing Messi for Andres Iniesta in the 52nd minute and bringing in Xavi for Yaya Toure nine minutes later.
And those changes earned Barca the desired result as they took the lead in the 63rd minute. Xavi’s corner was stabbed goalwards by Carles Puyol and, when Aouate could only parry the ball, Ibrahimovic was on hand to slot home from close range. Messi was denied by a one-handed save by Aouate after Ibrahimovic had audaciously laid the ball off with his back, while Messi also blazed a good chance over in the 82nd minute.
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