FC Barcelona reclaimed the top spot in La Liga, tied on points with arch-rivals Real Madrid, but a superior goal difference ensured Hansi Flick’s side remained in first place. The Catalan giants secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano at Montjuïc, a crucial win in their title chase.
However, the mood in the dressing room was not entirely celebratory, as one key player was left frustrated by his situation.
According to reports from the Spanish newspaper El Nacional, Dani Olmo once again started the match on the bench, a pattern that has been recurring in recent games.
Despite being one of Barcelona’s marquee signings in the summer, Olmo has not been receiving the playing time he anticipated, which has led to growing frustration. After the final whistle, the Spanish international did not hide his discontent, making it clear that he desires a more prominent role in the squad.
Olmo was introduced in the 60th minute, and in his 30-minute cameo, he demonstrated why Barcelona was eager to secure his return. His creativity, dribbling, and vision injected fresh energy into the team’s attack.
However, despite his impactful performances, he remains unsatisfied with his current role as a substitute. He believes that consistent minutes are necessary to regain his top form, but Flick has been cautious due to Olmo’s past injury concerns.
The German manager now faces a tactical dilemma. Olmo’s quest for more playing time comes at a time when Gavi, a fan favorite and key figure in the squad, is also vying for minutes.
Flick has been deploying Gavi alongside Pedri and Frenkie de Jong in midfield, leaving Olmo as an option from the bench. If the coach decides to accommodate Olmo in the starting eleven, it could mean reducing Gavi’s minutes, a move that might create tension within the squad.
After the match, Olmo refrained from making strong statements to the media, but his body language reflected his dissatisfaction. While he feels ready to take on a bigger role, Flick remains firm in his approach of carefully managing players to prevent injuries.
The manager has repeatedly emphasized that no player is guaranteed a starting spot. However, if Olmo continues to push for more game time and delivers strong performances, Flick may be forced to reconsider his lineup in the upcoming fixtures.
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