Dani Olmo marked his return to Barcelona with a “dream debut” as he scored the winning goal in the exhilarating 2-1 comeback victory against Rayo Vallecano in LaLiga. The 26-year-old had missed Barça’s first two games of the season due to registration issues, but his signing was finally processed, allowing him to make an immediate impact at Vallecas. Coming off the bench at halftime, Olmo found the back of the net in the 82nd minute, propelling Barcelona to their third consecutive win of the season after Pedri had earlier equalized Unai Lópz’s early opener. Speaking to ESPN after the match, Olmo expressed his joy, stating, “I am really happy, really happy with the game and with the win. It was a dream debut for me.”
After sealing a €55 million move from RB Leipzig earlier in the summer, Dani Olmo was eagerly anticipating his competitive debut, having shone for Spain in their victorious European Championship campaign. The versatile forward, who initially honed his skills at Barcelona’s academy before embarking on a journey that led him to Dinamo Zagreb at just 16, remained patient throughout the registration saga. Olmo confessed, “It was a dream, of course, to come back. I had no doubt when Barcelona knocked on my door. So, I’m really happy to be here.” Despite the uncertainties surrounding his registration, Olmo always had faith in the club’s ability to resolve the financial impediments. He affirmed, “I was confident the club would sort out the registration. I was ready, physically preparing for when I had the chance to start playing.”
Barcelona’s head coach, Hansi Flick, lauded Olmo’s performance, especially after the forward replaced Ferran Torres at halftime when the team was trailing 1-0. Flick commended Olmo’s impact, stating, “He was waiting a long time to score a goal for Barça. When he came on, you saw we had more control with the ball. It was really good.” Flick emphasized Olmo’s prowess in ball possession and goal-scoring abilities, highlighting the midfielder’s valuable contributions to the team’s performance. The coach expressed, “I think the start of the second half was good for us and was the reason he was on the pitch. He’s doing great, also without the ball, we are nearer the ball and pressing the opponent very good. He made the difference in the second half.”
Although Barcelona’s perfect start to the season with three consecutive wins is commendable, Flick remains grounded, focusing on continuous improvement. With upcoming matches on the horizon, including the clash against Real Valladolid, Flick emphasized the need for further enhancements. He stated, “Now we have nine points and everything is good, but it’s not like this. We will analyze [the game], and on Saturday we have our next match and we have to play much better than in the first half.” Flick recognized areas for improvement, particularly in defense, urging the team to maintain high standards to achieve success in future encounters.
Barcelona’s victory was overshadowed by the unfortunate injury to Marc Bernal, with concerns rising over a potential anterior cruciate ligament injury that could sideline the 17-year-old for a significant period. Flick expressed his somber sentiments, acknowledging the bittersweet nature of the win. He lamented, “It’s a sad victory because Marc is injured and it looks not so good. We have to wait until tomorrow to see how heavy it is. When you see the dressing room, nobody is happy. He made a fantastic match — 17-years-old and such a performance.”
Dani Olmo’s impactful return to Barcelona and the team’s resilient comeback against Rayo Vallecano underscore the resilience and determination that define the club’s spirit. As they navigate through challenges and celebrate victories, Barcelona remains steadfast in their pursuit of excellence on and off the field.