Barcelona midfielder not training with group, still expected to be available vs Espanyol | OneFootball

FC Barcelona trained this morning for the final time in 2025 as they focus their attention on Saturday’s match against RCD Espanyol away from home.

Having ended the first part of the season on a winning note, the Catalans will be eager to begin 2026 in the same vein of form. The fact that they face their local rivals in the first game of the year will only serve as added motivation.

Dani Olmo not in group training

However, according to SPORT, Hansi Flick is still unable to count on Dani Olmo in the group sessions, who once again trained alone and only partially, away from the group.

The Spanish attacking midfielder is still recovering from a dislocated shoulder he suffered early in the month, during the win against Atletico Madrid.

While he has resumed working on the pitch, he has yet to start training with the rest of the group and did not do so today either.

Olmo has been out for close to a month. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

As things stand, the plan is for the former RB Leipzig midfielder to rejoin group training gradually with the aim of being included in the squad to face Espanyol on Saturday.

If the context of the match requires it, Olmo could even be given minutes in the second half at the RCDE Stadium, helping him build some rhythm ahead of the Spanish Super Cup fixtures.

The team will train again on Thursday afternoon and on Friday morning as they continue preparations for a derby that is expected to be intense due to the return of Joan Garcia to Cornella.

Olmo’s progress over the coming days will be closely monitored, but his availability for the derby is not in question at this point in time.