Mallorca vs Barcelona preview - Alves calls for calm

Posted Sunday, November 11, 2012 by PA

Barcelona are sweeping all before them in the Primera Division but Wednesday's Champions League defeat to Celtic has handed their domestic rivals an idea of how they can be beaten.

The Scottish champions had luck on their side, and fed off the feverish Parkhead atmosphere, but their outstanding defence held Barcelona at bay until Lionel Messi fired a late consolation.

Now is not the time for Barcelona to panic according to Dani Alves, the Brazilian right-back, who has rejected the suggestion the team need a `Plan B' ahead of Sunday's Primera Division clash with Real Mallorca

For a side built on foundations of technical efficiency, movement and intricate passing, the theory that they might, in times of crisis, lump long balls from the back to a targetman comes as anathema.

Alves said: "When we don't win, we again get the debate about Plan B. And here at Barcelona that doesn't work because it is not our philosophy."

The solution, Alves said, is simple: "To get better at Plan A."

That is typical Barcelona, with the club undoubtedly shaken by their defeat in Scotland but not to the extent they are about to denigrate the years of strategising which have taken them to their current status, widely regarded as having been the world's most accomplished team of this century.

Proving nothing is too wrong, they head into this weekend three points clear at the top of the Primera Division, and unbeaten with nine wins and a draw from 10 domestic outings.

Alves pointed out Barcelona had toyed with deploying tall forwards, to give them another option, in the not-too-distant past. Without mentioning him, the name of Zlatan Ibrahimovic sprung to mind. The Swede spent a year at the Nou Camp, before being loaned out to AC Milan in 2010 after becoming a spare part in the machine.

"There are many players of high quality in the world," said Alves, "but there are few who can adapt to Barcelona."

Concerns over his own form plague Alves on the eve of facing a team who began the league campaign in terrific style, with three wins and two draws in their opening five games but have since lost five in a row.

"I'm not happy with my performance. I'm working to try to recover my best physical level," Alves said.

The chances are that Mallorca's streak will extend to six losses, with the islanders having been crushed 5-0 at home by Real Madrid a fortnight ago.

Mallorca goalkeeper Dudu Aouate is determined it should not be a formality for the visitors.

"We have to be 100% in order to compete against Barcelona," Aouate said. "We want to take something positive from the game and we'll go for it. We know our opponents are Barca but these three points are very important for us."

Celtic's result piqued the interest of anyone with Mallorca links, although Aouate said: "Barca played well. They had 85% of possession and despite their defeat they created many chances.

"I don't think we will play like Celtic and I know it will be a difficult game. However, we will go at them, regardless of the opponent."