Barcelona’s season was starting to look bleak and on the edge of fragility. Now Dani Olmo’s injury might just be the final nudge that exposes their thin squad depth.
The Spanish midfielder limped off during international duty, and while the club has released no official timeline, reports suggest he could miss the upcoming fixtures against Girona, the next Champions League tie, and the all-important El Clásico.
Olmo’s absence arrives at the worst possible moment. With Gavi already out for the season and Fermín López’s return still shaky, Barça’s midfield options are shrinking by the week. Hansi Flick now faces the unenviable task of holding the structure together without one of his few creative outlets.
Embed from Getty ImagesOlmo might not have been at his best this campaign, with one goal and two assists so far, but his versatility and technical awareness have been crucial in linking the attack and providing width when needed.
Casadó looks the obvious short-term replacement, though the youngster is still finding his rhythm at the top level. Expect Flick to hand more minutes to Drovic (Dro), who has been gradually integrated into the first team in recent weeks. Still, much will depend on how long Pedri and Frenkie de Jong can stay fit. Those two players whose workloads are already bordering on dangerous territory. If either succumbs to fatigue or injury, Barcelona could quickly find themselves running on fumes.
The timing of Olmo’s setback is also significant. Considering Barca’s next fixture list this month, the El Clásico, and a UCL match against Olympiacos.
Embed from Getty ImagesWithout the depth to rotate efficiently, Flick might have to rely on tactical tweak, perhaps leaning more on wide play and positional interchanges, to mask the creative void left by Olmo’s absence.
There’s a cruel irony here too. Barcelona had quietly hoped the international break would offer a breather after a congested run of fixtures, but instead, it ended with another name to the injury list. Olmo’s muscle problems have always been a lingering concern, and this latest one only amplifies the broader theme of season: fatigue.
For a team still rebuilding its rhythm under Flick, the next few weeks will reveal how resilient Barcelona truly are or how much they depended on players like Dani Olmo to keep the balance intact.
Embed from Getty ImagesWritten by Pejuola Ransome
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