Last Saturday produced a major scare as FC Barcelona found themselves 3-1 down at home to Celta Vigo, a reminder that the Liga title is by no means done and dusted.

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But the game also produced yet another amazing Barça recovery as they ended up winning the game 4-3, the decider not coming until a 98th minute penalty was awarded. It all goes to show just how defiant a team Hansi Flick has crafted, one that is extremely good value for their four-point lead at the top of the table, and which they clearly have absolutely no intention of letting slip, no matter what adversities might come their way.

There are now just six more league games to get through, the next coming hot on the heels of the last as they host RCD Mallorca at the Estadi Olimpic on Tuesday at 9.30pm CEST. As usual, we have a special guide so you can work out what time that will be where you are in the world and what broadcasters should be showing the game live.

Fans going to the game should be aware that there are special mobility requirements due to the game coinciding with the Twenty One Pilots gig at Palau Sant Jordi next door.

Mallorca eyeing Europe

The visitors are in a similar position to Barça's last opponents Celta in the Liga standings, very much in the running to qualify for European competitions for the first time since 2004. But an impressive 2-0 win at Real Sociedad is their only victory in their last four league outings, having lost to Valencia and Celta, and drawn in a lackluster encounter with Leganes at the weekend.

Also, much as the islanders have been one of the more impressive sides in la Liga 2024/25 they were utterly outplayed when they entertained Barça at Son Moix in December, losing 5-1 with the Barça goals scored by Pablo Torre, Raphinha (2), Frenkie de Jong and Pau Victor.

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HIGHLIGHTS | Mallorca v Barça

 

That was the fourth time Barça have put five goals past Mallorca since the last time they actually lost to the 'Pirates' in the league, way back in 2009.

Big week

This week's league programme is being played midweek to free up the weekend for the showpiece event of the year, the Copa del Rey Final, which Barça are of course competing in. Their opponents in Seville, and also their main challengers for the league title, Real Madrid, beat Athletic Club 1-0 in the league on Sunday, will be playing city rivals Getafe on Wednesday.

And of course once the final of the domestic cup has been contested, Barça will have little time to recover before they'll be facing Inter Milan in the first leg of their Champions League semi-final.

Team news

Whether those future commitments will condition Hansi Flick's choices for this game remain to be seen. Possibly not, as the German has always maintained that the only game that matters to him is the next.

However, whatever happens, leading goalscorer Robert Lewandowski will play no part. The Pole suffered a hamstring injury against Celta and is unavailable, meaning we'll have to wait a bit longer before we can celebrate his 100th goal for the club.

Alejandro Balde, Marc Casado, Marc Bernal and Marc-Andre ter Stegen are also injured.

Mallorca's main fitness doubts concern Manu Morlanes, Vedat Muriqi, Robert Navarro and Takuma Asano.

Hansi says

"I think Mallorca are having a good season and have the chance to play in Europe next season. It will be a tough match, they’re an experienced team, solid in defence, with great transition football... we have to be prepared."

"We don’t know when [Lewandowski] will return or how long he’ll be out. I prefer not to say anything more."

"You never know what will happen ... If we don’t do things well, like against Celta... I hope that match was a wake-up call to correct and improve what needs to be done to move in the right direction ... With the comeback, I felt a lot of positive energy, and that’s what I really like. The team is in a good moment and we have to keep it that way."

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Flick: 'It's not easy'

 

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