FC Barcelona are 180 minutes away from the Copa del Rey final. To reach it, they must beat Atlético de Madrid in the semi-final. Hansi Flick's team will host the Colchoneros on Tuesday at 9:00 p.m. at the Estadi Olímpic Lluís Companys. This is a highly demanding match in which the host team has a big doubt as to whether Lamine Yamal will be available. On the other hand, Dani Olmo, the savior at the Estadio de Gran Canaria, is available and could start.
The 25-year-old attacking midfielder came on after the break, replacing Fermín López. Barça needed a greater presence between the lines to penetrate the defensive network that Diego Martínez's pupils had formed. With the player from El Campillo on the pitch, they were unable to do so, but everything changed with the entry of the player from Terrassa. He provided solutions in the back three, served as a link between the midfield and the attack and, in addition, broke the deadlock after 62 minutes of a goalless draw. His goal was very much in his style, receiving the ball between the lines, dribbling in a box inside the area and beating the opposing goalkeeper with a great shot, despite being with his less skilled leg.
Will he start against Atlético de Madrid?
"I think he can start, but it is also more important to say that we have to take care of him. Progressively, it was a very important goal that he scored in Las Palmas," Hansi Flick commented on Olmo in a press conference. The possibility that the man from Terrassa will be in the starting eleven in the cup match is real. In addition, his versatility offers tactical solutions and tactical variants. In the LaLiga match against the red-and-white team (1-2), Gavi occupied the position of attacking midfielder, although in this match it could be Dani who is chosen.
Another possibility is that the ex-Leipzig player will be placed on the wing. Lamine Yamal is doubtful for the match against Atlético de Madrid after an injury suffered against UD Las Palmas. If he is ultimately unavailable, or does not start, the star signing of the summer transfer market could occupy one of the wings, depending on the tactics employed by Hansi Flick. Whatever the case, it is very likely that Olmo will participate in the match, perhaps as a starter, although he could also serve as a substitute.