Barça faces a season with several open fronts, and one of the names that draws the most attention in the offices and among the coaching staff is Dani Olmo. The Spaniard arrived last summer as the club's big bet after paying RB Leipzig for his transfer following an outstanding European Championship. In his first season, Olmo replied with a remarkable performance, contributing goals, assists, and an offensive profile that quickly fit into Flick's vision.
However, his first year was also marked by physical setbacks that limited his continuity. Despite his great impact in the matches he played, injuries prevented him from having the consistency that he and the club desired. In this second season, the goal was clear: Keep the football level, but with a constant presence on the field.
Nevertheless, the start of preseason has already raised some warning signs.
First injury before the league debut
Even before La Liga officially begins, Olmo has suffered his first physical setback. It's a muscle overload that has prevented him from training normally in recent days. Although he isn't completely ruled out for the first match against RCD Mallorca.
Even so, the club doesn't overlook the fact that these problems occur with some frequency and that, if they persist, they could affect his role in the squad. The coaching staff are aware that, at his best, Olmo is one of the most talented players on the team. However, his medical history causes some concern, recalling recent cases like Ansu Fati's.
The most visible consequence is that he has lost his status as an undisputed starter, allowing footballers like Fermín López to seize the opportunity to earn a place in the starting eleven.
Preventive work to avoid setbacks
Aware of the situation, Olmo himself has taken the initiative to minimize risks. He has started an individualized training plan focused on injury prevention, aiming to keep himself available throughout the season. The idea is to strengthen his physical preparation and adjust the training load to reduce the likelihood of relapses.
This effort also has an important personal component. 2026 will be a World Cup year, and Olmo wants to remain a key piece in Luis de la Fuente's national team. To achieve this, he knows he must keep a high level of performance at Barça and regularly accumulate minutes.
If he manages to overcome this challenge, the club will be able to enjoy his best version and he will be able to establish himself as one of the team's offensive references.