Flick's message to Koundé and Olmo: there are no untouchables at Barça

Hansi Flick's second season in charge of FC Barcelona not only started with two victories, but also conveyed the message to the squad that there are no untouchable players under his command. Proof of this is the current situation faced by both Jules Koundé and Dani Olmo.

In that case, the right-back and the attacking midfielder have started from the bench in the first two matchdays of LaLiga EA Sports 2025/26. The Frenchman, for now, has seen how Eric García keeps his position, while the Spaniard suffers the same with both Fermín López and Raphinha.

Yes, both players have had minutes in the two matches, but always coming on in the second half, when in principle it was expected that they would consolidate themselves as owners of their positions.

Olmo has managed to play 90' so far (45 against Mallorca and 45 against Levante). However, the scenario is not so pleasant for Jules, who for the moment has only had 18' in the two matches (13 against the 'vermellones' and 5 against the 'granotas').

Koundé and Dani Olmo, with their sights set on their places

Although for now the situation is not the best for the '23' and the '20', both players are aware that no one can lower their performance in the team, because the competition is fierce in each demarcation.

Therefore, they are confident that the time will come to settle as starters, especially in the case of Jules Koundé, who in the last season proved to be immovable from the right-back, while Olmo missed approximately 20 matches due to muscular problems that did not allow him to settle and shared rotations with Fermín López or Gavi.

Thus, it is worth remembering that, although Eric García seems to have snatched the starting position from Jules, the Frenchman signed a high-level 2024/25 season registering 4 goals and 8 assists, in addition to understanding perfectly on that side with Lamine Yamal.

In the case of Dani, the idea of keeping the starting position is a little more complex, since, in addition to maintaining the records of last season: 12 goals and 7 assists, he must also fight not to fall into the injuries that plague him so much and take away regularity.

In Barça, neither Pedri nor Lamine Yamal have their place secured if they don't perform

In this argumentative order, although for now Pedri and Lamine Yamal are undisputed in Flick's starting XI, if they present a downturn during the course, they could also have to face matches starting from the bench.

It is worth remembering that the German strategist prioritizes performance and not names, so it is rare for him to repeat the lineups, because he is always looking for the ideal functioning of Barça. 

Now, the '8' continues to be the engine of the team and has already signed a great goal against Levante, while the '10' continues to demonstrate the reasons why he is one of the best players in the world today; he already registers 1 goal and 2 assists in 2 matches.