Barcelona player ratings v Mallorca: Luuk de Jong 8, Gerard Pique 8, Riqui Puig 6

Depleted Barca move up to fifth in La Liga after a 1-0 win at Iberostar Stadium

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  BARCELONA PLAYER RATINGS: Marc-Andre Ter Stegen – 7. One of the few experienced players in a makeshift Barca team missing 16 to Covid, injury and suspensions. Only one win away from home this season – but that became two after his fine one handed block in the 92nd minute. AFP

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  Oscar Mingueza – 7. Usually a central defender, played at right back and used his left foot to cross the ball to De Jong to open the scoring. Told to play the ball “easy” by his manager mid-game as Barca came under pressure in the second half, but did well. Getty Images

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  Gerard Pique – 8. One of four central defenders in defence on a pitch where the grass was grown tall to slow the game, he struck a seventh minute free-kick wide rather than tried to get on the end of it like usual. That wasn’t all; he saw more of the ball than any other player on the pitch and won everything in the air. A leader. EPA

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  Eric Garcia – 7. Told off by his manager early on – a game Xavi didn’t want to play with so many absences, opining that it affects integrity of the league. He was later told to organise the defensive line. He did and played well. Getty Images

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  Ronald Araujo – 6. Usually a central defender, played at left back. The defence stayed firm and showed their mental strength with so many players missing. Getty Images

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  Nico Gonzalez – 7. Aggressive and needed. Swung a shot over after 52. Came off injured after 71, his role in a huge Barca win done in front of a 14,654 crowd. AFP

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  Frenkie de Jong – 6. Limited influence on a game when he should have made a bigger impact since Busquets, Gavi and Pedri were all out, but the players around him showed they’re getting mentally stronger under Xavi as they moved up to fifth. AP

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  Riqui Puig – 6. Darling of Barca fans who want to see more of him, less so of the coaches who don’t play him. With needs must, Puig had his first start of the season and started on the left side of a midfield three. Highest passing accuracy (95%) on the pitch. EPA

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  Luuk de Jong – 8. Derided central forward who hit the post on 28 after a well-timed run. Then struck the crossbar a minute later with a perfect scissor kick, before putting Barca into the lead with a header on 44 – his second goal in eight months. He’s still likely to leave since Barca don’t want him. AFP

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  Ferran Jutgla – 6. Played on the left of the makeshift front three. Set up De Jong on 28 and curled a shot wide of the Mallorca post after 34. Booked. AP

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  Ilias Akhomach – 6. The 17-year-old (it was Barca’s third youngest team this century) had Barca’s first shot on target after 10 but otherwise a limited contribution. Played wide and didn’t let himself or his team down. Getty Images

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  SUBS: Alvaro Sanz – 6. On for Nico after 71 minutes, the 19-year-old defensive midfield usually plays for Barca B. Reuters

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  Clement Lenglet – NA. On for Mingueza after 76. Picked up a yellow card on 83. Mallorca got five yellow cards from the 83rd minute onwards (no match photo available). AFP

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  Estanis Pedrola – NA. On for Akhomach after 80, the 18-year-old Barca B winger would never have featured in this game, but all those absences meant he did (no match photo available). Getty Images

Luuk de Jong's first-half header gave Barcelona a 1-0 win at Mallorca on Sunday in a match where the Catalans were missing 14 players due to Covid-19, injuries and suspensions.

Barca climbed two places to fifth on 31 points from 19 matches, one point behind Atletico Madrid in fourth and 15 adrift of leaders Real Madrid who have played a game more.

It was vindication time for striker De Jong after several media reports that Barca want to move him on this month.

He got his second goal since arriving from Sevilla in the close season - his first for more than three months.

The Dutchman was Barca's best player on Sunday as he also hit the post twice in the first half, once with a bicycle kick.

The goal came just before the break when he headed home from close range after a cross by Oscar Mingueza.

In the photo gallery above, Andy Mitten has provided his ratings for the Barcelona squad. To move on to the next photo, click on the arrows or if using a mobile device, simply swipe.