Luuk de Jong’s first-half strike proved to be the difference as we unfortunately started the new year with a 1-0 defeat to FC Barcelona at the Visit Mallorca Estadi.
Prior to the match, we unveiled a mural dedicated to club legend and the highest goalscorer Samuel Eto’o. The striker was in attendance for the fixture and was welcomed back to the stadium to a rapturous applause from the reduced crowd.
Following a minute’s silence for Miquel ‘Barralet’ – president of the season tickets holders group – the visitors went on the offensive in the opening exchanges as Gerard Pique and Ilias Akhomach came close to opening the scoring.
We managed to weather the early storm, although Manolo Reina had to be at his best moments before the half-hour mark as Ferran Jutglà teed up De Jong to flick an effort against the post.
The forward threatened again minutes later, producing an acrobatic volley which thundered against the bar and away from danger.
It was third time lucky for De Jong as the Dutch international rose highest to head home Óscar Mingueza’s cross and give FC Barcelona the lead before the break.
Looking to put a difficult first half behind us, we tried to fight back into the game by hitting Xavi’s side with counter-attacking football.
We grew into the game with the visitors having a few half-chances throughout the second half as Jordi Mboula had a later opportunity to level with a header which flew over the bar by a matter of inches.
Half the ground thought we had found a late equaliser in injury time as Jaume Costa broke forward and volleyed at goal from close range, although an incredible reflex save from Marc-André ter Stegen kept the scoreline the same.
RCD Mallorca: Manolo Reina, Maffeo, Russo, Valjent, Jaume Costa, Battaglia (83'), Baba (60'), Kang-In Lee (70'), Antonio Sánchez (70'), Dani Rodríguez, Ángel (60')
Substitutes: Ferran Quetglas, Leo Roman, Sastre, Olivan, R. De Galarreta (60'), Mboula (70'), Salva Sevilla, Abdón (83'), Sedlar, Fer Niño (60'), Gayà, Llabrés (70')
FC Barcelona: Ter Stegen, Araujo, Piqué, Eric García, Mingueza (75'), Riqui Puig, Nico (70'), Frenkie de Jong, Ilias (80'), Luuk de Jong, Jutglà
Substitutes: Neto, Peña, Lenglet (75'), Umtiti, Sanz (70'), Comas, Guillem Jaime, Estanis (80'), De Vega, Mika
Goals: Luuk de Jong, 0-1 (44')
