Over to you Real Madrid! Hansi Flick reflects on near-perfect night for Barcelona

Real Madrid need to win tonight to move back to within four points of Barcelona at the top of La Liga

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Barcelona midfielder Dani Olmo

Hansi Flick reflected on a near-perfect night for Barcelona after he was able to rest several key players while still maintaining their position at the top of La Liga with a 1-0 victory over Real Mallorca.

Flick left out the likes of Raphinha, Frenkie de Jong and Jules Kounde and handed starts to squad players Ansu Fati and Hector Font but his side still dominated with Dani Olmo grabbing the only goal a minute into the second half.

Barca’s dominance was reflected by the fact they had 40 shots in the game, the most by a team in La Liga this season, while Mallorca failed to have a single shot on target.

Pressure turns to Real Madrid

The win moved Barcelona seven points clear of Real Madrid, who visit Getafe tonight, and means Flick’s squad is well rested ahead of Saturday’s Copa del Rey final against Carlo Ancelotti’s men in Seville.

Flick said: β€œEveryone has done a very good job, it has been positive that everyone feels part of the team and that is good for the group. It’s my job to manage it, always thinking about the next game, which is the most important.

“We thought a lot about which players should come and in and which should rest. We give a lot of importance to how to manage our players. We have made many changes, but I think we have been right.”

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The changes had little impact on Barcelona’s flow and Mallorca were hanging on long before Olmo grabbed the only goal with a lovely finish.

“I think we played a very good game, with many chances, many options to shoot, to score a goal,” Flick added. β€œFinally we did get one and then kept them at zero, so I’m happy.

“We started very well. We defended as a team, but really the way we have played has been very good and I think we have seen fewer mistakes than in past matches.Β 

“It’s was a fantastic performance.”

Perfect Pedri stands out again

Flick reserved special praise for Pedri, who was again outstanding in midfield.

He said: ”It’s hard to put a limit on Pedri. He’s playing at a top level. Not only with the ball, but also when he doesn’t have it. He helps us a lot in that defensive element and everyone knows how good he is.”

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Picture of Jon Fisher

Jon Fisher

Jon has over 20 years' experience in sports journalism having worked at the Press Association, Goal and Stats Perform, covering three World Cups, an Olympics and numerous other major sporting events.

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