FC Barcelona once again relied on Dani Olmo as a starter in the match against Celta de Vigo (2-4). Hansi Flick, in principle, had opted for Marc Casadó to complete the midfield alongside Frenkie de Jong and Fermín López. However, the '17' suffered a twinge in his adductor during the pre-match warm-up, opening the door to the starting XI for the player from Terrassa.
Olmo hadn't started in the league since matchday 8, **against Sevilla**, and he completed a fairly correct match at Balaídos. The '20' was **the player with the most chances created (3)** and recovered 6 balls in the 86 minutes he was on the field. Additionally, he had an 87% pass completion rate (65 of 75) and took a shot on goal before halftime.
His offensive contribution, however, was less in the second half. **Dani came close to adding an assist in the 32nd minute** with a chipped pass, after a rebound from a corner, but Fermín volleyed high.
Olmo Regains Confidence in Return to Starting XI
Beyond not scoring goals or providing assists on the day, the 27-year-old attacking midfielder took advantage of the visit to Balaídos, a always difficult stadium, to gain momentum and confidence in a season that has had a complex start for him.
Dani Olmo missed three games due to a calf injury and **has only started 6 of the 16 games played by Barça** in 25/26. Fermín has won the starting spot battle, but the Terrassa native is confident in continuing to work to regain the prominence that physical problems usually steal from him.
So far, the Spanish international has scored one goal and provided a couple of assists in 13 appearances for Flick's team. Olmo will travel with Spain for the matches against Georgia and Turkey along with Pau Cubarsí, Fermín López, Lamine Yamal, and Ferran Torres. Hopefully, the November FIFA date will not leave any lingering issues in the Barça infirmary 'because' of La Roja.
Positive Celta-Barça balance for Dani Olmo
After the match, Dani Olmo explained his feelings about the game in an interview for 'Movistar' and what it meant to quickly prepare to replace Casadó in the starting XI. "Marc felt some muscular discomfort during warm-up and they notified me quickly," said the Terrassa native.
In that regard, he praised the collective work of the "azulgrana" team to win a difficult match. "I think the team played well, especially in the first half. In the second, they pressed more, but we leave with the objective accomplished."
He also added: "With the ball, we had the same idea of moving it quickly from side to side. **We had chances. Defensively, we were better, though**," Olmo pointed out, who also praised Robert Lewandowski.
"He is very important for the team and he has shown it. We need him at one hundred percent because he is going to give us a lot," stated the '20' from Barcelona, who is clear that the objective is always "to win" to depend on themselves and improve game by game.