Barcelona 5-2 RCD Mallorca: 5 players who impressed for the Catalans | LaLiga 2019/2020

FC Barcelona v RCD Mallorca - La Liga
FC Barcelona v RCD Mallorca - La Liga

Barcelona made it seven wins from seven games played at Camp Nou, trashing Real Mallorca 5-2 in the last LaLiga fixture of Saturday evening.

With Real Madrid having gone three points clear at the top of the table, the Catalans needed to issue a response and they did so in style, cranking up the pressure to ensure that their visitors had no chance of leaving Camp Nou with anything.

The victory sees the defending champions climb back to the joint-summit of the standings and Ernesto Valverde would have been very pleased with the performance of his players.

In this piece, we shall be highlighting five players who impressed the most for the Catalans in what was a routine victory.

#5 Ivan Rakitic

Rakitic put up a fine performance
Rakitic put up a fine performance

Ivan Rakitic had been an ever-present in the Barcelona starting lineup ever since he arrived at the club in 2014 but the recent signings of Frenkie de Jong and Arthur have limited his impact.

So far this season, the Croatian international has started just three of Barcelona's 15 league fixtures to date and he was handed his third consecutive start (1 in Champions League and 2 in LaLiga) of the season. against Mallorca, playing on the right of a midfield three alongside Sergio Busquets and Frenkie de Jong.

It was an opportunity that Rakitic grabbed with both hands and he put in arguably the best performance from a Barcelona midfielder on the night.

The former Sevilla man was everywhere, combining his defensive duties with his attacking forays and he played a key role in helping the home side keep a firm control of the game.

He completed a game-high 96.8% of his passes, had two shots at goal, with one of those hitting the target while his defensive strengths were also brought to the fore, and the 31-year-old won an aerial duel, and made two clearances and interceptions each.

Rakitic was substituted for Carlos Alena in the 72nd minute and on evidence of his all-round display, he would have undoubtedly shown Valverde that he is more than worthy of a starting shirt.

#4 Antoine Griezmann

FC Barcelona v RCD Mallorca  - La Liga
FC Barcelona v RCD Mallorca - La Liga

After blowing hot and cold in the early part of his Barcelona career, summer signing Antoine Griezmann is slowly settling into the groove at the Camp Nou.

He opened the scoring in what was to become an eventual rout and whereas a less sure player would have rushed into a wayward finish when racing through on goal, the composure with which he calmly slotted the ball over Manolo Reina is indicative that the French international is growing in confidence.

Gone was the uncertainty of what to do when he received possession and he was not afraid to try to showcase his ability rather than seek out Messi or Suarez with every opportunity.

This was undoubtedly down to the fact that Barcelona already had a healthy lead and while there might still have been some moments when he looked out-of-sync with his strike partners, Antoine Griezmann showed that he has what it takes to excel at Barcelona.

#3 Frenkie de Jong

FC Barcelona v RCD Mallorca  - La Liga
FC Barcelona v RCD Mallorca - La Liga

Frenkie de Jong joined up with his Barcelona teammates over the summer after signing in January but seeing the ease with which he settled in at his new club, one would have been forgiven for thinking that he has spent his development at La Masia.

The Dutch international was hands down the club's best performing player during pre-season and his displays had fans of the Blaugrana purring over what he would do once the season proper started.

So far, they have not been disappointed and after some sub-par weeks, Frenkie de Jong was back to his dominating best against Mallorca.

He was started in his adopted role on the left of Barcelona's midfield three and it was from here that he dictated the play, controlling the tempo of the fixture with his measured distribution and pristine vision.

The 22-year-old completed 96.2% of his passes, of which three were key passes that led to goalscoring opportunities, while he also made two dribbles and three interceptions.

De Jong's most telling contribution, however, came in the 43rd minute when he started and played the final pass for Luis Suarez to score what was a wonderfully executed team goal and while the Barcelona midfield might have fallen some way off the illustrious highs of recent years, the former Ajax man can help them get there.

#2 Luis Suarez

FC Barcelona v RCD Mallorca  - La Liga
FC Barcelona v RCD Mallorca - La Liga

Just when you think Luis Suarez's time as an elite striker is coming to an end, he finds a way to make you have a rethink and once again appreciate his greatness.

There were seven goals scored on the night and the one scored by the Uruguayan international is easily the pick of the bunch.

The beauty of the goal is all-encompassing, from the delightful one-touch passing in the buildup - reminding us of the Barcelona of old - to the incredibly audacious backheel flick finish by Luis Suarez.

That was his eighth goal of the campaign and he would not score many better than that and beyond the goal, he proved to be a constant menace to the Mallorca back three, keeping them engaged for the entirety of the 90 minutes.

In total, Suarez had an incredible eight shots, with five of those on target, made four key passes, completed three dribbles and was on hand to register his second assist of the campaign when he set Lionel Messi up for his hat-trick in the dying embers of the game.

#1 Lionel Messi

Messi scored yet another hat-trick
Messi scored yet another hat-trick

Are there still any words left to describe the magician that is Lionel Messi? For the last 15 years, multiple clubs have felt the wrath of the Rosario native and Mallorca were once again on the receiving end of his otherwordly abilities.

The Barcelona skipper gave a complete performance against Los Bermellones, with three of his seven shots ending in the back of the net and another drawing a save from Manolo Reina.

Furthermore, he completed six dribbles (more than anyone else), made four key passes and had the second-most touches (106) of all the men on the field.

When he found the top corner off the crossbar in the 83rd minute, it meant that the six-time Ballon d'Or winner has now scored 53 career hat-tricks and it shoots him straight up to the summit in the race for the Golden Boot.

The only thing missing on the night from Messi's repertoire was a customary assist and perhaps a trademark freekick but beyond that, few can deny him his umpteenth Man-of-the-Match award and he did not even have to enter second gear in the fixture.

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Edited by Kingshuk Kusari