FC Barcelona has suffered a huge blow ahead of the highly anticipated El Clásico against Real Madrid, as a key first-team attacker faces a significant injury setback likely to sideline him for up to three weeks.
This comes at a particularly demanding point in the season with crucial matches lined up, including a La Liga game against Girona and a Champions League fixture versus Olympiacos, before the monumental clash with the Spanish giants’ archrivals at the Bernabéu on October 26.
The player in question is Dani Olmo, the 27-year-old Barcelona midfielder who has been struggling with fitness issues since his high-profile transfer last summer, as reported by ESPN.
Olmo left the Spain national team camp last week due to discomfort and returned to Barcelona for medical evaluation.
Tests revealed a muscle injury in his left calf, though club officials confirmed there is no serious damage to connective tissue.
Despite this, the club cautions that his recovery timeline depends entirely on his progress, making his participation in the upcoming Clásico highly uncertain.
This injury is yet another chapter in Olmo’s ongoing battle with fitness setbacks, having missed 20 games last season due to various issues.
Even so, he had a notable debut campaign with Barcelona, scoring 12 goals in 39 appearances.
His absence during this critical period puts additional pressure on Barcelona’s attacking options, especially as they aim to maintain momentum in both domestic and European competitions.
On a positive note, Barcelona recently welcomed back promising talents Lamine Yamal and Fermín López for training, and Ferran Torres, despite leaving the Spain squad with hamstring soreness, is expected to be available for upcoming matches.
However, the loss of Olmo for potentially three weeks remains a significant concern, undermining the team’s preparation and strategic approach for the season’s first El Clásico.
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