Barcelona have suffered a potentially significant injury setback ahead of El Clasico, with Dani Olmo set to miss Sunday’s meeting with Real Madrid after being forced off against Paris Saint-Germain.
According to a report from AS, the Spain international is unlikely to recover in time for the showdown at the weekend, leaving Hansi Flick facing another selection headache.
The full extent of the injury remains unconfirmed, however, with further medical tests needed before Barcelona can establish a definitive recovery timeline.
Dani Olmo injury raises fresh concerns for Barcelona
Olmo was handed a starting place against PSG, with Flick choosing him ahead of Fermin Lopez in midfield. His evening was cut short in the 27th minute following a collision with PSG midfielder Vitinha.
The Barcelona playmaker went to ground and quickly realised he could not continue, prompting him to request a substitution.
Fermin subsequently replaced him, while television footage showed Olmo visibly distressed by the setback.
Rather than heading straight to the dressing room, the injured midfielder remained on the bench after leaving the pitch. His reaction showed the disappointment of suffering a possible injury at such a crucial stage of Barcelona’s season.
Initial reports suggest Olmo may have sustained a tear in his left adductor muscle.
If that diagnosis is confirmed, the problem would be serious enough to rule him out of Sunday’s El Clasico and potentially several subsequent fixtures.
MRI scan to determine Olmo’s El Clasico availability
Right now, Barcelona are awaiting further clarity on the midfielder’s condition.
According to AS, an MRI scan scheduled for Wednesday in Barcelona is expected to establish the diagnosis and provide a clearer indication of his recovery period.
If the suspected muscle tear is confirmed, Olmo could face between four and five weeks on the sidelines.
That would be a considerable blow for Flick, who would lose another strong option during a demanding run of fixtures.
For now, his involvement against Real Madrid appears highly unlikely, and Flick is not expected to take unnecessary risks with an injured player, particularly when the medical assessment could reveal a problem requiring several weeks of rehabilitation.
The final decision will depend on the scan results, but Barcelona must already prepare for the possibility of facing their fiercest rivals without the former RB Leipzig star.
Flick faces selection headache before Real Madrid clash
Olmo’s potential absence adds to Barcelona’s existing defensive concerns.
Jules Kounde and Eric Garcia were already unavailable against Real Betis last Saturday, leaving Flick with additional issues to address ahead of El Clasico.
Kounde’s condition remains particularly relevant, with the French defender a doubt for the Madrid fixture.
The Barcelona manager will therefore have to consider alternative combinations rather than rely on his preferred starting lineup.
Fermin’s introduction against PSG could strengthen his case for a midfield role, although Flick has other options available.