Barcelona vs Mallorca: Ter Stegen errors cost Xavi's men in draw at Son Moix

Barcelona failed to strengthen their hold on the top of the log, dropping points away to Mallorca. 

Despite the rotations, it was the most assured starter, Marc Andre Ter Stegen, who was in the frame for both goals Barcelona conceded in the 2-2 draw at Son Moix.

The Blaugrana boss, Xavi, made wholesale changes to the team that travelled to the Balearic Islands, dropping top scorer Robert Lewandowski and the centre-back duo of Jules Kounde and Andreas Christensen. Ronald Araujo, Raphinha, and Inigo Martinez took their place in the starting lineup.

The visitors looked sharp early on despite the changes, creating a few chances, but the hosts had a game plan that, aided by a Ter Stegen error, reaped rewards as Aguirre’s men took the lead in the eighth minute of the game. 

The German shot-stopper’s sloppy pass was pounced on, and despite Barcelona’s backline attempting to remedy the situation, the ball ended at the back of the net from a Vedat Muriqi shot.

Xavi’s men pressed for an equaliser, and with four minutes left in first-half regular time, Raphinha restored parity with a shot from outside the box. The Brazil international was handed the chance to give Barcelona the lead moments later when he was played through on goal by Ferran Torres, but the former Leeds man skied his effort.

Mallorca punished Raphinha’s profligacy moments later, as Abdon Prats restored the hosts' lead after Araujo and Ter Stegen clattered against one another.

Barcelona spent the second-half pushing for an equaliser; Xavi shuffled the deck, bringing on Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, and Fermin Lopez. In the 78th minute, all three plus Raphinha combined for an equaliser.

The 16-year-old Yamal cut inside before releasing a reverse pass for his Brazilian teammate. He, in turn, cut the ball back into the centre of the area, and a Lewandowski dummy created space for Lopez, who fired into a vacated goal.

The visitors tried to reenact their dramatic comeback against Celta Vigo over the weekend, but Aguirre’s men held on to a well-deserved point.