“He’s definitely not starting against Real Madrid—his performance was terrible and completely unreliable.”

Barcelona may have advanced to the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in six years, but their 3-1 loss to Borussia Dortmund has raised internal concerns and added new complications to Hansi Flick’s team selections.

Although the team secured progression with a 5-3 aggregate win, the mood after the match was far from celebratory. Key players including Jules Kounde, Frenkie de Jong, and Robert Lewandowski expressed dissatisfaction with the team’s display. Flick reportedly had to remind the squad of the significance of reaching the semi-finals.

One encouraging sign was the return of Dani Olmo, who made a late appearance after a long injury absence. With the Copa del Rey final against arch-rivals Real Madrid just days away, Flick is expected to ease Olmo back into full match fitness.

He is likely to feature in upcoming La Liga fixtures against Celta Vigo and Mallorca, but with limited minutes to avoid risking a setback.

However, Olmo’s starting spot in the final is far from guaranteed. Reports from Sport suggest that Flick is considering starting Fermin Lopez in the final, with Olmo used off the bench, replicating his role in a previous Clasico at the Santiago Bernabéu. Lopez, who has stepped up in Gavi’s absence, has seen more consistent playing time and has earned Flick’s trust with his composure and work ethic, even though he hasn’t been prolific in front of goal.

Lopez also started the last El Clasico in Madrid, playing alongside Marc Casado. In that game, de Jong replaced Lopez in the second half and helped lead the team to a convincing 4-0 win. That performance added weight to the growing debate over the ideal midfield setup.

With the Copa del Rey final fast approaching, Flick faces a major selection headache. Deciding who to start in midfield—whether to trust the youthful energy of Lopez, the experience of de Jong, or the skill of a not-yet-fully-fit Olmo—could be key in Barcelona’s bid to win silverware this season. The choices he makes in the coming days could shape the outcome of their season.