Olmo strike keeps Barcelona on LaLiga title track
Dani Olmo's goal earned Barcelona a hard-fought 1-0 win at home against Mallorca, stretching its lead over Real Madrid at the top of LaLiga to seven points.
With Madrid not in action until Thursday (AEST), when it faces a potentially awkward trip to Getafe, Barca knew it could take another step towards the title in Montjuic.
Hansi Flick's side dominated proceedings despite the coach deciding to rest several key starters ahead of the weekend's Copa del Rey final against bitter rival Madrid, but Mallorca goalkeeper Leo Roman put on quite a show between the sticks.
He denied Olmo with a reflex save midway through the first half, while Gavi's deflected effort struck the post and Ronald Araujo missed a glaring chance from six yards out.
Lamine Yamal, Pedri and Hector Fort also went close before half-time as Barca laid siege to Roman's goal, but the hosts finally broke the deadlock one minute after the restart.
The breakthrough came via a fine piece of individual skill from Olmo, who took the ball in a tight space inside the box and quickly fired a left-footed shot into the bottom corner.
Roman denied Yamal one-on-one and was also worked by Pau Victor as Barca sought a clinching goal, but Barcelona ultimately did not need a second as Mallorca failed to threaten.
The win lifted Barca to 76 points at the top of LaLiga, with Madrid on 69 with an additional game to play, ahead of the Clasico rivals meeting in the Copa final.
Flick was pleased that his decision to rotate his Barcelona squad it edges closer to this season's title.
"I think we played a good game, we had a lot of chances to score more goals and win by a larger margin, but I'm still happy," Flick said.
"Their goalkeeper, Leo Roman, was really good and put on a show. We have to acknowledge that. Actually, everyone defended Mallorca well today.
"They were really good and that makes our win even more important.
"I think we made fewer mistakes than in previous games and, in general, we were really good. It's my job [to rotate the squad].
"I have to do it at a time of the season that everyone is impacted by a relentless schedule. The next game is always the most important and that's how we will manage it."
It marks the start of a huge period for Barcelona, which, after the Copa del Rey final, turns its attention to the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg against Inter Milan.
After the weekend's Clasico in Seville, treble-chasing Barcelona will face lowly Real Valladolid before hosting Madrid in a LaLiga clash that could decide the title on 12 May (AEST).
"Barca and Real Madrid are great teams, and it is normal that titles are decided between the best teams," Flick said.
"We have two more games against them, and we want to win the cup and the league, and we have to beat them. It won't be easy, but we have to be focused on them."
