Barcelona Suffers Devastating Blow as Star Player Falls Just Days Before El Clasico Showdown
Barcelona's midfield star Dani Olmo has been ruled out of international action following a muscle injury diagnosis from Spain's medical team.
The 27-year-old completed the full match in Barcelona's 4-1 loss to Sevilla before linking up with the Spanish national squad for their October fixtures. Spain manager Luis de la Fuente disclosed that Olmo arrived carrying some physical issues and was unable to train at full intensity until Friday.
During that session, the midfielder reported muscle pain in his left leg, according to the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). Subsequent medical examinations revealed Olmo had suffered a muscle strain.
The former RB Leipzig player will miss Spain's forthcoming matches against Georgia and Bulgaria. The RFEF confirmed that Olmo will start his rehabilitation process at the national team's training facility before heading back to Barcelona on Saturday.
Neither Spain nor Barcelona have provided a specific timeframe for the midfielder's return to action.
Barcelona Grapple With Growing Injury List Before El Clásico
Physical setbacks continue to pile up for Hansi Flick's squad at an alarming pace. Olmo's injury adds to an already lengthy casualty list that includes Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Marc-André ter Stegen, Gavi, Fermín López and Joan García.
Additionally, Marc Bernal was also forced to pull out of international duty for October due to physical concerns.
With fixtures against Girona scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 18 and the highly anticipated El Clásico the following weekend, Barcelona can ill afford further losses to their first-team squad. The reigning Spanish champions already sit three points behind Real Madrid in La Liga, and disappointing results could widen that deficit.
The Catalans also face Olympiacos in Champions League action between these domestic encounters. If Olmo's absence proves lengthy, Flick may need to rely once more on 17-year-old Dro Fernández to fill the attacking midfielder role.