Hansi Flick was delighted that his decision to rotate his Barcelona team for their 1-0 win over Mallorca in Laliga, he paid off while throwing close to the title of this season.
Flick brought seven changes on the side that Celta Vigo defeated the previous time -out, with Jules Kounde, Raphinha, Pau Cubarsi and Frenkie de Jong all called on the couch.
Barcelona took Dani Olmo a minute after the half-time interval, and despite the narrow Scoreline it never seemed likely to surrender the three points.
They ended the game with an expected goals (XG) a total of 3.45 of their no less than 40 shots, although only 12 of them were on goal on Tuesday.
The victory raised Barcelona to 76 points at the top of the table, seven points free from Real Madrid before they were confronted this weekend opposite their Clasico rivals in the Copa del Rey final.
“I think we played a good game, we had many opportunities to score more goals and win with a bigger margin, but I am still happy,” Flick told reporters.
“Their goalkeeper, Leo Roman, was really good and set up a show. We have to acknowledge that. In fact, everyone defended Mallorca well today.
“They were really good and that makes our victory even more important.
“I think we made fewer mistakes than in previous games and in general we were really good. It is my job (to rotate the team).
“I have to do it at a time of the season that everyone is influenced by a ruthless schedule. The next game is always the most important and so we will manage it.”
It marks the start of a huge period for Barcelona, ​​which after the final of Copa del Rey focuses their attention on their Champions League semi-final first leg against Inter.
The Flick team is without top scorer Robert Lewandowski, with the pole sidelined for a few weeks with a leg muscle injury in which is a huge blow to the Blaugrana.
Lewandwoski scored 40 goals this season in 48 performances in all competitions.
After the Clasico on Saturday in Sevilla, Treble-Chasing Barcelona will be confronted with humble real Valladolid before he could decide Madrid in a LaLiga collision that could decide the title on 11 May.
“Barca and Real Madrid are great teams, and it is normal for titles to be determined between the best teams,” said Flick.
“We still have two games against them, and we want to win the cup and the competition, and we have to beat them. It will not be easy, but we must be aimed at.”