"That's what we need today" - Barcelona boss Hansi Flick explains 26-year-old star's inclusion in starting lineup for Espanyol clash
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has explained why he included Dani Olmo in the starting lineup of their clash with Espanyol. Flick said he started the academy graduate against Manolo Gonzalez’s men because of his goal-scoring abilities.
Dani Olmo was out of action for Barcelona for over a month after he pulled his right hamstring against Girona on September 15. He returned to action on October 23, coming on as a substitute in Barcelona’s 4-1 thrashing of Bayern Munich in the Champions League. He also came on as a substitute in their following match which was the El Clasico against Real Madrid which the Blaugrana also won convincingly.
However, Flick decided to make a change to his starting XI against Espanyol by including Dani Olmo. Since Olmo returned to his youth club Barca from Leipzig, he has only started in two games, both of which were in La Liga.
Inaki Pena has started between the sticks. Hector Fort, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, and Alejandro Balde form the back four. Marc Cassado and Pedri played as the two deep-lying midfielders. Lamine Yamal, Dani Olmo, and Raphinha played as attacking midfielders while Robert Lewandowski spearheaded the attack.
Hansi Flick has, however, explained his reason for the inclusion of Olmo in the starting lineup. He said;
''Olmo is an excellent player between the lines and can score goals. That's what we need today.
Flick's decision has proved right as Dani Olmo bagged a brace in the first half with La Blaugrana taking a 3-0 lead into the break.
What Hansi Flick said ahead of Barcelona’s clash with Espanyol
Ahead of the clash, Hansi Flick said their match with Espanyol will not be a walk in the park. The German felt so due to the fact that it’s a derby game. Lke Barcelona, Espanyol is based in Catalonia, Spain.
Hansi Flick’s men have been in scintillating form this season, having lost only one game across competitions. They secured emphatic victories in their last two matches, thrashing Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. However, Hansi Flick thinks it will be difficult for his side to replicate the impressive result against Manolo Gonzalez’s men. He said (via Football Espana);
“I know what this derby means. It will be a difficult match after a great week. It will be important to play 100% and with intensity. We always prepare well. It’s good to celebrate (our recent form) but we have to concentrate. In the session we concentrated a lot, the road is long. We are doing well and we have to be focused.”
Barcelona’s only loss of this season came against Osasuna in La Liga (4-2).