Dani Olmo marked his return to Barcelona with a sensational debut, scoring the winning goal in a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory over Rayo Vallecano in LaLiga. The match took place on Tuesday, with Olmo, 26, coming off the bench at halftime and netting the decisive goal in the 82nd minute. This win ensured that Barcelona has started the season with three consecutive victories, a feat not achieved since the 2018-19 season.
Olmo had faced delays in his registration after signing from RB Leipzig for €55 million earlier this summer, primarily due to Barcelona’s financial constraints. However, after resolving these issues, he was finally able to contribute to the team. “I am really happy, really happy with the game and with the win,” Olmo remarked after the match, describing it as a “dream debut.”
Having come through Barcelona’s academy before moving to Dinamo Zagreb as a teenager, Olmo expressed confidence that the club would sort out its financial challenges. “It was a dream, of course, to come back. I had no doubt when Barcelona knocked on my door. I’m really happy to be here,” he said.
Barcelona’s coach, Hansi Flick, praised Olmo’s instant impact after substituting him for Ferran Torres. He noted, “When he came on you saw we had more control with the ball. He brings a safe possession and knows how to score goals.” Fleck highlighted Olmo’s contributions both with and without the ball, stating, “He made the difference in the second half.”
Despite the successful start to the season, Flick urged caution, emphasizing the importance of focusing on the next match against Real Valladolid. “We have nine points, and everything is good, but we need to play much better than in the first half,” he stated.
The victory was overshadowed by a serious injury to 17-year-old Marc Bernal, with fears of an anterior cruciate ligament injury that could sideline him for much of the season. Flick expressed concern for Bernal, saying, “It’s a sad victory because Marc is injured, and it looks not so good.”