Barcelona’s Schedule Sparks Outrage Amid Olmo’s Injury

Barcelona’s Victory Over Osasuna Comes at a Cost: Dani Olmo’s Injury Sparks Concerns Over Grueling Schedule

In the vibrant city of Barcelona, the football scene is always buzzing with excitement and anticipation. However, the recent match between Barcelona and Osasuna has left fans and players with mixed emotions. While the 3-0 victory was a cause for celebration, it came with a significant downside: the injury of key player Dani Olmo.

The match, originally postponed due to the tragic death of Barça’s first team doctor, Carles Miñarro, was rescheduled for this week, right after the international break. This decision was met with protests from both teams, who were concerned about the timing and its impact on player performance and health.

Despite these challenges, Barcelona managed to secure a comfortable win with goals from Ferran Torres, Olmo, and Robert Lewandowski. This victory propelled them three points clear at the top of LaLiga. However, the joy of the win was overshadowed by Olmo’s injury, which could sideline him for two to three weeks due to an adductor problem.

In the post-game news conference, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick expressed his frustration, stating, “Today we made the best of the situation we have. It’s not the right date for playing this match. After the international break, it was not good. We have three points more, but we paid a really high price for the injury of Dani, it’s not good.”

Flick’s concerns are not unfounded. The injury could mean Olmo misses several crucial matches, a significant blow to the team. “We don’t know how long he will be out. If it’s two weeks it means a lot of matches. Or three weeks more matches. It’s not a good situation. The price was very high for the three points,” Flick added.

Adding to the team’s challenges, Raphinha was unavailable for selection after playing for Brazil against Argentina on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Ronald Araújo was an unused substitute after returning from Uruguay duty late on Wednesday.

The match against Osasuna was just the beginning of a grueling schedule for Barcelona, with seven games lined up in 20 days. The next challenge is a league game against Girona, kicking off just 64 hours after the final whistle against Osasuna.

Flick voiced his concerns about the packed calendar, stating, “I think you have to listen to the players. This is the important thing. And also to the coaches. In summer there is the World Cup for the clubs. It’s tough. The [UEFA] Nations League, international breaks…”

He continued, “I don’t think it’s a good thing this World Cup, in my opinion. OK, you can earn a lot of money, but for the players it’s not good. We have to stop and think about the players. Fans want every player to give 100%, to see a spectacle … and when it goes on this way, I think it’s not at this level. We cannot play on this level. Not only us, but also the other teams who will play the World Cup.”

Barcelona defender Jules Koundé, who played 120 minutes for France in their Nations League quarterfinal win over Croatia, echoed Flick’s sentiments. “I am angry about the date chosen for this game, it’s not normal,” he told DAZN. “It’s true I’m fortunate to do what I do, I know that, but it shows a lack of respect to the clubs, Barça and Osasuna, who both had international players, to select this date.”

• “We’re not machines and to play our game and give the fans what we want, to put on a show and play with intensity, we need rest.”
• “More than anything, it shows a lack of respect to the players. All institutions have to understand this, not just LaLiga, everyone.”
• “We have not said anything before because we didn’t want to look for excuses, but you reach a moment where your voice has to be heard. We are the main actors in this and they can’t just do what they want.”

As the debate over the demanding football calendar continues, the focus remains on the well-being of the players and the quality of the game. With key players like Dani Olmo sidelined, the conversation around scheduling and player welfare is more relevant than ever.