BREAKING: Mallorca coach Jagoba Arrasate admitted, “We had a chance to beat them, but they have the best player in world football. He did things we’ve never witnessed before in the history of the game. If I had him in my team, we’d be leading the league right now.” Arrasate singled out one Barcelona star for an outstanding performance that cost his side a win in their last match.

On a cool April night at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys, Barcelona moved a step closer to claiming the La Liga title with a narrow but crucial 1-0 victory over a well-drilled Mallorca side. This wasn’t a showcase of glamorous football or relentless attacking — it was a tactical chess match, and it was Dani Olmo who rose to the occasion in this pivotal Matchday 33 fixture.

With just five matches remaining in the 2024-25 campaign, Barcelona required a spark of creativity to dismantle Mallorca’s organized defense, overseen by head coach Jagoba Arrasate.

That decisive moment arrived early in the second half through Olmo, a player who often operates in the shadows of Barcelona’s bigger stars. Following a clever assist from teenage sensation Lamine Yamal, Olmo calmly curled a superb finish beyond the reach of goalkeeper Leo Román.

Barcelona controlled possession from the kickoff, holding over 70% of the ball, but struggled to unlock Mallorca’s compact defensive setup.

Center-backs Antonio Raíllo and Martin Valjent stood firm, while goalkeeper Leo Román was in inspired form, pulling off 11 saves. His standout moment was a remarkable double save that denied both Ferran Torres and Ansu Fati in quick succession, symbolizing Mallorca’s resilience.

The absence of Robert Lewandowski left Barcelona’s attack without its usual cutting edge. Mallorca looked to hit on the break through Cyle Larin and Sergi Darder, but young defender Hector Fort, alongside Ronald Araujo, handled the threat effectively. Despite 14 shots in the opening 45 minutes, Barcelona couldn’t break through, heightening the tension in the stadium and among the fans online.

That pressure eased just after halftime when Olmo, fed by Yamal, turned sharply and placed a precise shot into the far corner, marking his sixth league goal of the season. Beyond the goal, Olmo was instrumental throughout the match, completing 36 passes, providing three key passes, and registering 57 touches.

His intelligent movement disrupted Mallorca’s shape, creating space for teammates, and he also contributed defensively, pressing high and slotting seamlessly into Hansi Flick’s aggressive tactical setup.

Mallorca pushed for an equalizer — a goal from Mateu Morey was ruled out for offside, and Larin missed a late opportunity — but Wojciech Szczęsny stayed solid between the posts. Araujo’s seven clearances secured the clean sheet.

This 26th league victory was more than a routine win; it demonstrated Barcelona’s depth and tactical discipline. With important fixtures ahead in the Copa del Rey and Champions League, Olmo’s timely performance may prove decisive in Barcelona’s title ambitions.