Barcelona’s Midfield Crisis Deepens As Olmo Faces Extended Spell Out

‎Barcelona’s 2–0 victory over Atletico Madrid on Tuesday should have been a night of celebration a statement win at the Spotify Camp Nou.

‎A continuation of their impressive league form, and yet another confident performance from one of their most in-form players, Dani Olmo.

‎But the mood quickly shifted. The moment Olmo struck Barça’s second goal past Jan Oblak, joy turned into concern.

‎As he landed awkwardly on his shoulder, pain etched itself across his face, and within seconds, it was clear something was wrong. Hansi Flick had no option but to remove the Spanish midfielder, and now Barcelona have been dealt a significant setback as they enter a crucial stretch of the season.

‎Shoulder Dislocation and Time on the Sidelines

‎According to Sport, medical tests have confirmed that Olmo suffered a shoulder dislocation, and he could be out for the rest of the calendar year. The minimum recovery time for such an injury is around three weeks, but Barcelona does not expect him back before the winter break.

‎There is also the possibility of surgery an option that would extend his spell on the sidelines even further.

‎A Worrying Recurrence of an Old Injury

‎This is not uncharted territory for Olmo. The 26-year-old has a troubling history with shoulder issues.

‎Back in 2023, he underwent surgery after a similar dislocation and missed nearly two months of action. That previous injury raised red flags at the time, and with this latest recurrence, the concerns naturally return.

‎For a player who relies heavily on agility, control in tight spaces, and confidence in physical duels, recurring shoulder instability is far from ideal.

‎Olmo’s Best Form Interrupted

‎What makes the timing even more unfortunate is the form Olmo had found heading into this week. Just days earlier, he scored twice against Alaves, followed by another clinical finish against Atletico Madrid.

‎He was arguably in his brightest spell of the campaign dynamic, decisive, and central to Barça’s attacking rhythm.

‎Now Flick must plan for life without one of his most influential creators.

‎Flick’s Midfield Dilemma Deepens

‎Barcelona is already battling injuries in midfield. Fermin Lopez remains unavailable, leaving Flick with only one natural attacking midfielder: 17-year-old academy talent Dro Fernández.

‎Fernández has impressed staff with his maturity and technical sharpness, and there is a real possibility he could start against Real Betis this weekend.

‎Still, it is a lot to ask of a teenager to carry such creative weight in high-pressure fixtures.