The worst part of Dani Olmo’s injury might not be what Barcelona lose going forward. It could be what they lose when an attack breaks down. Even prior to the 4-2 loss against PSG, Barcelona were set for a tough week ahead. However, Olmo is now set to miss at least a month due to an injury to his left adductor muscle. With other players dealing with injuries, Hansi Flick has plenty to sort out before Real Madrid arrive. Flick can replace Olmo on the team sheet.
The harder part is replacing his influence without disrupting everything else. Against PSG, there were times when Barcelona seemed to be a team that could compete with one of the best teams in Europe. There were also times when they were punished for their errors, which was shown through the goals they allowed. The answer is not simply to ask the defense to do better. Barcelona need their midfield to make life harder for opponents in the first place.
Olmo’s Absence Could Hurt at Both Ends of the Pitch
Olmo offers a passing option between the lines, makes quick decisions around the penalty area and gives Barcelona another player who can keep an attack alive. When he is missing, the danger is that the ball becomes easier to win and Barcelona's forward play loses some of its spontaneity. That could leave more responsibility with the remaining attackers, including Lamine Yamal. The point is not that Yamal cannot handle pressure.
Barcelona are simply harder to defend against when several players can create something, rather than opponents being able to concentrate on stopping their biggest threats. Also, Olmo’s role in defending cannot be overlooked. The player applies high pressure, acts fast after losing the ball, and can join the midfield line to block passes. All those actions can prevent an opponent from counterattacking while Barcelona does not have their formation back.
In view of uncertainties about the back line, Flick should rely on such performance from the players playing ahead of the back line. Barcelona's defenders have proven that they can be penetrated when opponents bypass Barcelona's pressing game. Losing such a midfielder will make it even more difficult.
Barcelona Need More Than Pedri to Control Madrid
Pedri, of course, is the first player to turn to in the midfield. It may be especially significant that he possesses the skill to control the tempo and not lose possession of the ball against such a well-prepared Madrid side. The Barca squad should avoid making the game transition-heavy and leave both defensive lines scrambling.
López Fermín is an energetic and aggressive player. He can be helpful in preserving the attacking force, but he must not leave the midfield exposed through his runs. His readiness to pressure opponents is helpful, but the Barcelona team still requires coverage for the areas he leaves open. Neither player has to reproduce everything Olmo does. Flick needs to decide how their strengths can complement each other, rather than expecting one of them to fill the gap.
De Jong’s Return Offers Some Much-Needed Relief
Frenkie de Jong's return from injury gives Flick another option at a time when he needs one. The fact that he is capable of running with the ball under pressure, and also the link between defense and attack, will be useful for Barcelona to advance upfield without depending totally on fast passing through congested areas. De Jong is not quite similar to Olmo in terms of qualities offered, but his availability is an advantage to Barcelona.
He will help in retaining possession of the ball and release the pressure on the defense, assuming that the midfield players surrounding him maintain their formation. That is the task: Barcelona have to continue making scoring chances without exposing their back four. With injuries piling up, the available midfielders will have to share the defensive work as well as the attacking responsibility.
October Points Still Matter in the Title Race
Flick is right that trophies are not won in October. There is a long season ahead, and bringing players back too soon would be a needless gamble. But that does not make Sunday's game any less important. Points dropped against Real Madrid can matter when the La Liga table is decided, and there is no way to recover them later. The Champions League knockout rounds offer a different challenge, with two-legged ties providing an opportunity to respond.
League points do not work that way. Barcelona have enough midfield quality to survive Olmo's absence. De Jong's return helps, and Pedri and Fermín are capable of making a difference. What the team cannot afford is for Olmo's injury to expose the same defensive weaknesses that have already cost them. Sunday will not decide the season, but it could tell Flick quite a bit about how much he can trust his squad when the injuries start to pile up.
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