Robert Lewandowski Barcelona Mallorca Ansu Fati

Robert Lewandowski Barcelona Mallorca Ansu Fati

Robert Lewandowski shines again as Barcelona beat Mallorca, this time with the help of Ansu Fati

Barcelona's 1-0 victory over Mallorca in La Liga on Saturday was far more lively than the Catalan club had expected. The only goal came from Robert Lewandowski, who has scored in six of his seven league games this season.

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The result lifted the Blaugrana to the top of the table, one point ahead of Real Madrid, who have a game in hand. Los Blancos host Osasuna on Sunday and have a chance to overtake Barca.

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1. With Ansu's help, Lewandowski shines again

Lewandowski's strength has once again played a big role as Barcelona go to an unbeaten start to the La Liga season.

The Polish striker has helped change Barca's mentality with his leadership and work ethic, but it is his ability to find goals that has greatly improved Xavi Hernandez's side.

His goal against Mallorca was a case in point. When he received a pass from Ansu Fati in the 20th minute, nothing seemed to happen, but he dropped back and hit his man before firing low into the corner.

The goal made Lewandowski the fastest player to score nine goals in La Liga in the 21st century, and those goals came in just seven games. He has scored 12 goals in all competitions in just nine games.

Ousmane Dembele and Raphinha are usually chosen to flank Lewandowski, but Xavi has made Ansu start in Mallorca's La Liga this season. The 19-year-old is clearly still recovering from a long-term injury, but his link with Lewandowski is promising. With first-half goals set up here, the pair have scored three league goals this season, more than any other duo.

2. Harvey's patchwork defense remains firm as schedule grows

The trip to Mallorca marked the start of Barca's difficult 12-game winning streak in La Liga and the Champions League ahead of the World Cup. Xavi will be distraught to see Jules Kunde and Ronald Araujo, two regulars in his back four, injured during the international break, while summer signing Hector Araujo. Bellerin is also on the injured list this week.

So Xavi will need to find a solution defensively if he wants to get Lukaku and Vinicius Jr off ahead of the double-header against Inter in Europe before October 16 and against Real Madrid in La Liga.

Against Mallorca, he made the surprising decision to put 18-year-old left-back Alejandro Balde at right-back, a move that Xavi could be on ahead of Tuesday's clash with Milan. The first hint that comes to mind. Gerard Pique and Jody Alba are also back in the squad after a loss this season.

Andreas Christensen completes the back four, but Marcos Alonso, Eric Garcia and converted midfielder Sergi Roberto may get enough minutes as Barca play Get stronger and faster over the next five weeks.

3. Mallorca will continue to play in the 2022-23 season

When the dust settles, Mallorca will gain plenty of positives from Barca's narrow defeat, as they did when they were beaten by Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu last month.

Mexico coach Javier Aguirre kept his team ahead by coming off the bench on the final day of last season and he has built a team that is hard to beat, especially at home. But with Lewandowski's brilliant goal, Barca didn't produce as much as they wanted - a Barca team that has scored three or more goals in their last five league games.

Mallorca isn't just about defense either. They created their own chances and could have drawn them without Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Player ratings

Mallorca: Predrag Rajkovic 6; Paul Maffeo 6, Antonio Raillo 7, Martin Valjent 7, Copete 6, Jaume Costa 6; Baba 6, Inigo Ruiz 6, Antonio Sanchez 7; Vedat Muriqi 6, Lee Kang-In

Barcelona: Marc-Andre ter Stegen 8, Alejandro Balde 7, Gerard Pique 6, Andreas Christensen 6, Jordi Alba 6, Sergio Busquets 6, Gavi 7, Franck Kessie 5, Ousmane Dembele 5, Robert Lewandowski 7, Ansu Fati 6