By Neel Shelat
Arrasate’s on the spot impression at Mallorca
Jagobe Arrasate must be thought of one thing of a mid-table magician. After a profitable few years at Osasuna throughout which he took the membership from the second tier all the best way to a short European tour, the 46-year-old Spaniard has picked up proper the place he left off after a transfer to Mallorca in the summertime.
The Pirates’ squad was naturally fairly well-suited to his type of play, so that they immediately clicked. Hardworking striker Vedat Muriqi is essential in making his direct aerial ball-intensive possession-play work, however the remainder of the aspect have simply as a lot to do as a way to be sure that the defence is rock strong. They’ve been incredible to date, having conceded the third-lowest xG conceded tally in La Liga.
With such a powerful defence and a direct attacking method, Arrasate’s aspect are positive to present Barcelona a tricky take a look at.
Lack of depth lastly catching as much as Barcelona
With 11 wins of their first 12 video games in LaLiga this season, Barcelona might hardly have gotten off to a greater begin beneath new head coach Hansi Flick. There definitely had been lots of positives in that run of outcomes, however as we analysed on the time, their lack of applicable squad depth all the time left them vulnerable to a drop-off eventually.
They appear to be affected by that already having received their final league match precisely a month in the past. After the 3-1 success towards Espanyol, they suffered a deserved defeat towards a comparatively underperforming Actual Sociedad, conceded twice late on towards Celta Vigo to throw away a two-goal lead after receiving a pink card, and had been crushed by a extra medical Las Palmas aspect this weekend.
On the intense aspect, Barcelona at the very least haven’t seen any vital additions to their damage listing on this run of fixtures. Left again Alejandro Balde did must be taken off on the weekend after a hefty collision, however he doesn’t appear to have suffered any long-term harm.
Flick will hope that the imminently returning Ronald Araújo and Andreas Christensen may help shore up a defence that has saved only one clear sheet within the final six video games, although his extremely excessive defensive position arguably is in charge for that greater than any particular person. Both approach, these two gamers should not anticipated to function on this fixture, so younger Pau Cubarsí must take care of one other robust take a look at alongside centre-back companion Iñigo Martínez.
Prediction
Even earlier than Arrasate’s arrival, Mallorca have hardly been pushovers for Barcelona of late. They haven’t crushed the Blaugrana since 2009, although, so a win would definitely be fairly a giant shock. A rating draw or a really slim Barcelona win are the likeliest outcomes.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
You’ll be able to comply with each sport from LaLiga dwell with FotMob — that includes deep stats protection, xG, and participant rankings. Obtain the free app right here.