Barcelona tighten the grip on title race with 1-0 win against Mallorca | OneFootball

Barcelona extended their lead to seven points at the top of La Liga after edging out Mallorca 1-0.

The pressure was back on the Catalan giants after title rivals Real Madrid defeated Athletic Bilbao over the weekend, courtesy of a stunning strike from Federico Valverde in injury time to keep their four-point gap intact.

Barca had the momentum on their side following the thrilling comeback win against Celta Vigo, yet the odds were stacked against them due to Robert Lewandowski’s injury.

However, the Blaugrana produced a clinical performance, with Dani Olmo rising to the occasion in the Polish striker’s absence.

Hansi Flicked deployed Olmo as a No.10 and he repaid the faith by scoring the winning strike.

The former Leipzig star came close to finding the breakthrough early in the game but failed to capitalise on Lamine Yamal’s brilliant trivela pass.

Olmo managed to draw first blood quickly after the break with a precise left-footed finish.

Ansu Fati was also handed a rare start, and he looked sharp for larger spells despite not finding the scoresheet.

Barca could have decimated the visitors were it not for goalkeeper Leo Roman, who pulled off a flurry of top-class saves, including a stunning 1v1 effort to deny Yamal.

Pedri ran the show in the midfield, displaying his stellar consistency this season.

The Spaniard created six big chances and also made 18 recoveries, the highest in a La Liga game this season.

Barca will be hoping to see Real drop points against Getafe tonight so that they can take an assailable lead at the summit.

Flick’s men await Los Blancos this Saturday in the Copa del Rey final before they face Inter Milan in the Champions League semi-finals first leg.