"4 plus goals is guaranteed", "We are so back" - Barcelona fans react as star man returns to XI for LaLiga clash against Espanyol
Barcelona fans were pleased to see new signing Dani Olmo return to the starting lineup for their match against RCD Espanyol. The Blaugrana will host their local rivals at the Estadi Olympic Lluis Companys for a LaLiga clash on Sunday, November 3.
Manager Hansi Flick has retained the Barcelona front three that enjoyed a successful outing against Real Madrid in their last league match. Robert Lewandowski scored a brace, while Raphinha and Lamine Yamal scored a goal each in their 4-0 win over Los Blancos at the Santiago Bernabeu on October 26.
The three players are set to reprise their roles. Dani Olmo, who only joined the club in the summer transfer window, has returned to the starting XI. The playmaker suffered a muscle injury in September, ending up on the sidelines for a month.
However, he returned to the bench in their 5-1 win over Sevilla on October 20. While he did not feature in that game, he played 25 minutes off the bench in their win over Real Madrid a week later. Now, he has been cleared to start, to the excitement of the fans.
Olmo has already scored three goals in four La Liga games this season, and the fans are expecting him to add to this tally. They took to social media platform X to share their reactions with the following comments:
"Olmo starting 🔥🔥.. 4+ goals is guaranteed," one fan said.
"Olmo masterclass incoming 😌" another fan promised.
"OLMO STARTING, WE ARE SO BACK" this fan was excited.
"Olmo [goal/assist] today. Book it," another claimed.
"Good to see Olmo start, Go get em boys" this fan was pleased.
"Olmo starting, we are so back," another fan wrote.
"Olmo starting, 4+ goals is guaranteed," one more fan commented.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick speaks ahead of Espanyol clash
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick opened up about his side's local rivals ahead of the Derbi Barceloni. It is worth noting that the Blaugrana have not lost to Espanyol in their last 26 LaLiga games, and Hansi Flick will be widely expected to make it 27.
Speaking ahead of the upcoming match, the German tactician told the press (via Reuters):
"I know what a Barca-Espanyol derby means. It will be a tough match, for sure. After a fantastic week, it is important to be at 100% tomorrow, with intensity and maximum quality.
"We always prepare well for the next game. After the celebrations, we focus on the next game. We work on what we want tomorrow. It's a very long game in the league and we focus on the next game."
Flick has already led Barcelona to the top of the table, as they sit with 30 points from 11 games played. They are six points ahead of arch-rivals Real Madrid, and they could potentially make that a nine-point lead with a win over Espanyol.