Barcelona faces a challenging path towards the quarterfinals of this season’s Champions League.
The Catalan side managed to secure a 1-1 draw away at Newcastle United, a result that exposed Hansi Flick’s struggles with away matches in the Champions League.
Advertisement
Things could have taken a turn for the worse if not for an invaluable contribution from Dani Olmo.
Coming off the bench, Olmo injected energy into Barcelona’s attack and notably secured the penalty that allowed Lamine Yamal to equalize late in the game.
Dani Olmo: Barcelona’s UCL Savior?
As pointed out by MARCA, Olmo has often been pivotal in Champions League fixtures this season.
Despite spending just 20 minutes on the field at St. James’ Park, the midfielder made a decisive impact during the game’s crucial moments.
Dani Olmo played a key role in helping Barcelona secure the draw. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Advertisement
Olmo’s remarkable performances in Europe have been a consistent highlight this season. On January 21st, during a match in Prague, he entered with just under 30 minutes remaining, with the game level at 2-2. His first touch led to a sensational strike that put Barcelona ahead at 3-2.
Olmo continued to make his mark in the 4-1 victory over Copenhagen, where he delivered a brilliant pass to Lamine Yamal, kickstarting the sequence that resulted in Robert Lewandowski’s opening goal.
Since returning from a shoulder injury in early January, Olmo has become an essential asset for Hansi Flick.
He has started 12 of Barcelona’s last 18 matches, already exceeding his total playing time from the previous season.
His contributions are not limited to European competitions; in La Liga, his critical goals against Alaves, Atlético Madrid, Espanyol, and Oviedo have played a crucial role in maintaining Barcelona’s position at the top of the standings.