As FC Barcelona gears up for its first home match of the season against Valencia, manager Hansi Flick is poised to make a bold selection in midfield.
With key players sidelined or struggling, Hansi Flick is turning to a 27-year-old star to anchor the attacking midfield role, a decision that signals his intent to prioritize creativity and balance in this crucial La Liga fixture.
Limited to just 45 minutes across Barcelona’s opening games against Mallorca and Levante, the players also faced challenges with the national team, featuring briefly against Bulgaria but missing out against Turkey.
The player in question is Dani Olmo, whose versatility and flair have caught Flick’s eye despite an inconsistent start to the campaign, according to Javi Miguel of AS.
Yet, Flick’s faith in Olmo remains unshaken, as he views the midfielder as the ideal link between the defensive pivot, Marc Casado, and the attacking line.
Olmo’s ability to retain possession, dictate tempo, and unlock defenses with sharp turns makes him a standout choice for this pivotal role.
Flick’s strategy hinges on Olmo’s capacity to bring fluency to Barcelona’s midfield, a quality shared by few others in the squad, such as Pedri.
While Olmo’s defensive pressing lacks the intensity of alternatives like Fermín López, his creative output outweighs this drawback in Flick’s eyes.
The German coach is banking on Olmo to provide the spark needed to break down Valencia’s defense, especially with Gavi unavailable and Frenkie de Jong nursing discomfort.
This opportunity could be a defining moment for Olmo to cement his place in Barcelona’s starting XI.
His performance against Valencia will be closely watched, as Flick’s trust in his playmaking abilities signals a potential shift in the team’s midfield dynamics.
If Olmo seizes this chance, he could prove why he’s considered one of Barcelona’s most decisive talents, setting the tone for a successful season at the Camp Nou.
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