La Liga LIVE: Mallorca v Barcelona score & updates

Summary

Barcelona looking to move up from seventh

Live Reporting

Matthew Howarth

Postpublished at 20:00 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2022
Mallorca v Barcelona (20:00 GMT)
A mural of former Mallorca and Barcelona star Samuel Eto'o has been unveiled outside the Estadi de Son Moix ahead of kick-off.
What a player he was!
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How it standspublished at 19:56 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2022
Mallorca v Barcelona (20:00 GMT)
Image source, BBC Sport
The battle for the top four spots in La Liga is hotting up nicely.
All four teams directly above Barcelona were in action this afternoon, with Real Betis losing at home to Celta Vigo, Atletico Madrid beating rivals Rayo Vallecano and Real Sociedad drawing 1-1 at Alaves.
Can Barca keep the pressure on Atleti?
Goals galore - for Barcapublished at 19:53 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2022
Mallorca v Barcelona (20:00 GMT)
Barcelona have scored 25 goals in their last six league meetings with Mallorca, whose last win against the Blaugrana came over 12 years ago.
The hosts did spend six of those years in the Spanish second tier, though.
Image source, Getty Images
'Crazy' for game not to be postponedpublished at 19:51 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2022
Mallorca v Barcelona (20:00 GMT)
Barcelona boss Xavi says it is “crazy” that La Liga have allowed tonight’s game to go ahead, given the state of the teams’ respective squads.
La Liga rules state that games should be played if clubs have at least five first-team players available and can name a 13-man squad.
“We have 17 players missing,” said Xavi. “I am worried. It makes no sense to play. We’re at the very limit. Common sense should have prevailed.
“The rules are very tough. Mallorca are in a similar situation, albeit not as severe. It’s chaotic, but we will go there for the three points.”
Fond memoriespublished at 19:48 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2022
Mallorca v Barcelona (20:00 GMT)
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Team newspublished at 19:45 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2022
Mallorca v Barcelona (20:00 GMT)
Image source, BBC Sport
Barcelona are without a whole host of first-team players due to coronavirus and injury issues. Dani Alves, Ousmane Dembele, Jordi Alba, Philippe Coutinho, Gavi and Sergino Dest are all sidelined, but Samuel Umtiti and Clement Lenglet are among the substitutes after returning negative tests.
Matthew Hoppe and Takefusa Kubo are unavailable for the hosts, while Antonio Raillo is nursing an ankle problem.
Mallorca XI: Reina, Maffeo, Russo, Valjent, Costa, Battaglia, Baba, Sanchez, Rodriguez, Lee, Angel
Barcelona XI: Ter Stegen, Araujo, Pique, Eric, Mingueza, Nico, F De Jong, Puig, Akhomach, L De Jong, Jutgla
Image source, BBC Sport
Welcome alongpublished at 19:43 Greenwich Mean Time 2 January 2022
Mallorca v Barcelona (20:00 GMT)
Getafe stunned La Liga leaders Real Madrid earlier on Sunday – can Barcelona avoid a similar upset at Mallorca this evening?
Three points for Xavi’s side will move them to within one point of the top four.
Let’s take a look at the teams…
Image source, Getty Images