In the cool April air of 2025, FC Barcelona edged past RCD Mallorca 1-0 at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, taking another step closer to clinching the La Liga title. The Matchday 33 encounter wasn’t a high-scoring affair, but a tense tactical duel. With just five games left in the season, every point matters—and it was Dani Olmo who rose to the occasion, delivering a standout performance that proved decisive.
Barcelona controlled possession from the outset, holding over 70% of the ball, but struggled to penetrate a compact Mallorca defense organized meticulously by head coach Jagoba Arrasate. The visitors, since Arrasate’s arrival in June 2024, have become known for their disciplined, well-drilled structure. Center-backs Antonio Raíllo and Martin Valjent held firm, while goalkeeper Leo Román delivered a stunning display with 11 saves—including a memorable double stop against Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati.
With Lewandowski sidelined due to a hamstring injury, Barcelona’s attack relied on a youthful front three: Lamine Yamal, Fati, and Torres. Though lively, their finishing lacked sharpness. Mallorca, meanwhile, stayed compact and looked to counter, with Cyle Larin and Sergi Darder testing Barça’s reshuffled defense. Youngster Hector Fort partnered Ronald Araújo and coped admirably.
Despite dominating and taking 14 shots in the first half, Barcelona couldn’t find a way through. Frustration grew, both in the stadium and on social media, where fans praised Román but lamented their team’s missed chances.
The breakthrough came shortly after halftime. Lamine Yamal fed Olmo, who spun past his marker with elegance and bent a shot into the corner—his sixth league goal of the season. It was a moment of brilliance that broke Mallorca’s resistance and lifted the tension inside the ground.
Olmo’s overall performance was as impressive as his goal. He completed 36 passes, made three key passes, touched the ball 57 times, and linked play between midfield and attack seamlessly. His smart movement unsettled Mallorca’s midfield line, forcing Samú Costa into tough defensive decisions. Pedri, dictating the rhythm beside him with a 93% pass completion rate, helped stretch the opposition and opened lanes for Yamal’s direct runs.
Defensively, Olmo contributed with intensity, pressing high to disrupt Mallorca’s buildup—an essential element in Flick’s system. Analysts on social media praised the midfielder’s “complete performance,” calling him the game-changer Barcelona needed in a tight contest.
Mallorca nearly equalized through a disallowed goal by Mateu Morey and a late miss by Larin, but Barcelona held on, thanks in part to the composure of goalkeeper Wojciech Szczęsny and Araújo’s leadership at the back.
This win marked Barça’s 26th of the season and highlighted the squad’s depth in the absence of key players like Lewandowski and Marc-André ter Stegen. With a Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid and a Champions League semi-final versus Inter Milan ahead, Olmo’s contribution couldn’t have come at a better time.
His performance didn’t just seal three vital points—it also showcased his growing importance in Flick’s plans. In a team full of stars, it was Olmo’s quiet brilliance that lit up the night and kept Barcelona’s treble dream alive.
