Latest news with #Olmo
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Pep Guardiola ‘dreams' of signing Barcelona star
A member of the midfield ranks at La Liga giants Barcelona has made his way firmly onto the transfer radar of Manchester City. That's according to , who point towards Dani Olmo as the player in question. Spanish international Olmo was previously linked with a move to The Etihad during the January transfer window, when City attempted to take advantage of the 27-year-old's registration issues in Barcelona. In the end, no such transfer was forthcoming, with Olmo considered a key figure in the Blaugrana's present and future alike. As alluded to above, though, this stance has not discouraged the Premier League champions, and specifically manager Pep Guardiola, from their pursuit of the former RB Leipzig standout. As per a report from Relevo, amid an ongoing search for reinforcements in attacking midfield ahead of the summer departure of Kevin De Bruyne: 'Pep Guardiola is keeping an eye on Barcelona and dreams of Dani Olmo. Manchester City want to strengthen with a modern number 10 who can create plays, connect different areas of play, create goalscoring opportunities, and finish off plays. The English club's number one desire is the Spanish star from FC Barcelona.' Conor Laird – GSFN
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola makes Barcelona star ‘number one desire'
Barcelona have only spent big on one player in the last two seasons, and Manchester City are keen to take him off their hands. Dani Olmo arrived in Catalonia after a €55m move from RB Leipzig, but his year has been defined as much by issues with his registration as his form, causing him to miss four games this season. According to Relevo, Manchester City manager is dreaming of a move for Olmo this summer. Guardiola is keen to bring in a creative playmaker behind Erling Haaland, with Kevin de Bruyne on his way out of the club. Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz has been the object of his attentions, but he appears to be most likely to move to Bayern Munich this summer, and has turned his attentions to Olmo. Barcelona stance crucial to any potential move Currently he is not amongst the eight players that Director of Football Deco has earmarked for potential sales this summer. So far he is not up for sale, but it is not clear whether they would be open to a large offer, one that could perhaps resolve some of their salary limit issues. Olmo is City's number one target as things stand. Image via Diario AS Would Dani Olmo be open to a move? It is not explained how Olmo feels about a move. The Catalan playmaker missed 15 games through injury this season, in which he has had highs and lows on the pitch. Hansi Flick has used him in all of the big games he has been fit to start, but Olmo is yet to play 90 minutes this season. It would be something of a surprise if, having held out for a move last summer back to his boyhood club, he was quick to exit. Olmo has been competing for his spot with Fermin Lopez this season, with both offering solutions to Flick this season.
Forbes
03-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
FC Barcelona Versus Real Valladolid Line Up: Flick's Rotations
FC Barcelona head coach will make various rotations when his side travels to Real Valladolid on ... More Saturday night for a vital La Liga fixture. FC Barcelona head coach will make various rotations when his side travels to Real Valladolid on Saturday night for a vital La Liga fixture. The Catalans currently boast a four-point advantage over bitter rival Real Madrid at the summit, yet they're nursing tired legs thanks to a gruelling 3-2 extra time win over Los Blancos in the Copa del Rey final in Sevilla last weekend, which came just a few days before Wednesday's instant classic against Inter Milan in the Champions League semifinals. Barca was clearly tired at the beginning of the meeting with the Italians and conceded two early goals. Thanks to the genius of Lamine Yamal, however, Hansi Flick's men swiftly pulled one back and were equal by half time. Denzel Dumfries again put the Nerazzurri ahead with less than half an hour to spare, but Raphinha hit a screamer from the edge of the 18-yard box to make it 3-3 and set up a thrilling second leg at the San Siro on Tuesday. With that in mind then, Flick has to make rotations to make sure as many of his starters as possible are fresh to try and help their club advance to the UCL final for the first time in a decade. Perhaps the most interesting change right off the bat is Wojciech Szczesny being replaced by Marc-Andre ter Stegen, who makes his first start since suffering what was expected to be a season-ending injury at Villarreal back in September. With Alejandro Balde expected to return against Inter, Gerard Martin keeps his place at left back. Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez hit the bench, and they're replaced by Andreas Christensen and Ronald Araujo. Jules Kounde is injured, so Eric Garcia can do an audition for possibly getting the right back nod in the Champions League semifinal second leg. In midfield, Pedri gets a much-needed rest so that Gavi can team up with the number 8's usual dance partner Frenkie de Jong. Standing in for a Dani Olmo that has been unflattering in his last two outings, Fermin Lopez is the CAM flanked by Ansu Fati and Ferran Torres. Olmo won't be cut altogether, though, because he'll be the false number 9 on this occasion with a third consecutive chance to impress. 'It's our job to return [well] to La Liga, it's the most important thing because this title is the most honest. You have to play the whole season at the highest level. It doesn't matter where Valladolid are next season, they are now in the First Division. You can lose the title in these matches. We suffered a lot against Las Palmas, Leganés... and the team knows it.' FC Barcelona Line Up Vs. Real Valladolid: Szczesny; Martin, Christensen, Araujo, Eric; Gavi, De Jong; Ansu, Fermin, Ferran; Olmo
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Substitution against Inter left Barcelona star frustrated
Barcelona's thrilling 3-3 draw against Inter Milan in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League semi-final offered no shortage of drama, with Lamine Yamal's brilliance rightly taking the headlines. However, a less-noticed moment involving Dani Olmo has sparked subtle tension within the squad and raised questions about the midfielder's role under Hansi Flick. Olmo, who started in an advanced midfield position alongside Frenkie De Jong and Pedri, was taken off in the 68th minute and replaced by Fermin Lopez. While the substitution may have appeared routine, the Spanish international's reaction suggested otherwise. According to SPORT, he exchanged handshakes with both Fermin and Flick, but then gestured with clear frustration, raising his hand in what appeared to be a visible sign of disapproval. Whether this was directed at the substitution itself or at his own performance remains unclear, but it was a moment that didn't go unnoticed. Statistically, Olmo's game was not poor. He managed two key passes, recorded an 88% pass completion rate, attempted two shots on target, and completed one successful dribble from two attempts. He also drew three fouls. However, he lost the ball eight times, and his overall influence was limited by Inter Milan's compact and physical defensive shape, which clogged the central areas and left him with very little space to operate. For what it is worth, this is not the first time Olmo has been subbed relatively early in matches. Against Mallorca, Flick withdrew him in the 62nd minute. In the Copa del Rey, it was the 65th. There seems to be a pattern emerging, one that the player himself is likely noticing. Olmo's evident displeasure may stem from repeatedly being one of the first players sacrificed in tightly contested matches, despite his pedigree and potential to influence high-stakes games.
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick settles on starting XI for Real Madrid Copa del Rey final
Barcelona and Real Madrid will both come into the Copa del Rey final hampered by injuries, but it appears Hansi Flick is more certain than Carlo Ancelotti about his starting XI in Seville. On Wednesday night, Real Madrid added David Alaba and Eduardo Camavinga to their injury list which already contains Eder Militao and Dani Carvajal. Ferland Mendy and Kylian Mbappe are both expected to be fit for the final, but Ancelotti reportedly has two doubts in the final 72 hours before the game. For Barcelona, Flick appears to have made up his mind, although there was less doubt over his starting XI. Alejandro Balde and Robert Lewandowski will both miss out through injury, as will Marc Casado and Marc Bernal. Marc-Andre ter Stegen will return to the squad, but is not expected to play. Among other reasons, Flick prefers Gerard Martín over Héctor Fort at left-back due to his age and because he plays with his natural leg. @ClubMitjanit — barcacentre (@barcacentre) April 24, 2025 Gerard Martin will replace Balde at left-back, as per MD, and perhaps more crucially, Dani Olmo will be given a start against Real Madrid, his first of the season. Previously it had been reported that Fermin Lopez would be given the nod, with Olmo coming off the bench, in front of Pedri and Frenkie de Jong. The usual suspects, Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi and Inigo Martinez will accompany Martin in front of Wojciech Szczesny. The front three almost picks itself, with Raphinha and Lamine Yamal either side of Ferran Torres. The big names to miss out are Gavi and Fermin, who would provide perhaps more of a defensive work-rate than Olmo, but are less inventive when they get into the final third. With Lewandowski, who is less mobile, Flick may preferred Fermin's work-rate off the ball, but having Torres lead the press would make that less of a consideration. Certainly Olmo gives Barcelona a more incisive edge, while Gavi would arguably the most defensive of the choices.
