Dani Olmo set to miss El Clasico in fresh injury blow for Barcelona | OneFootball

Dani Olmo will miss Barcelona’s clash with arch-rivals Real Madrid later this month, according to Mundo Deportivo.

The Barcelona playmaker suffered a calf injury while on international duty with Spain and will return to the club this weekend for further assessment.

Barcelona’s injury woes have been getting worse ahead of the first El Clasico of the season, and the 27-year-old is the latest to land on the treatment table.

The Spanish national team confirmed on Friday that Olmo will leave the La Roja camp on Monday to undergo additional tests at Barca’s Ciutat Esportiva.

Initial reports suggest a possible muscle tear, and he is likely to be sidelined for about three weeks.

That timeframe would rule him out of the trip to the Santiago Bernabeu on October 26, although the Blaugrana have not yet made an official statement on his status.

Before facing Real Madrid, Barcelona must first navigate a La Liga fixture against Girona and a Champions League tie with Olympiacos. Olmo is also expected to miss both ties.

Unless his recovery takes an unexpectedly rapid turn, the playmaker from Terrassa will not be fit in time for the season’s most anticipated encounter.

Despite his ‘exceptional abilities‘, Olmo has not been at his best this season for Barcelona, with his form dropping off remarkably, but he is still a crucial cog.

The timing of the setback is particularly problematic for Barcelona manager Hansi Flick, whose squad has already been ravaged by injuries.

Marc-Andre ter Stegen and Gavi are long-term absentees, while Joan Garcia is also expected to sit out El Clasico.

There is some optimism surrounding Raphinha, Fermin Lopez, and Lamine Yamal, who could return to training soon.

However, Flick admitted before the break that he cannot guarantee Yamal’s availability for Madrid.

In the meantime, Barcelona may turn to youth once again.

Rising midfielder Dro, who made his first-team debut against Real Sociedad in September, is reportedly in contention to start against Girona.

With the senior midfield stretched thin, the 18-year-old could be handed another chance to impress at Montjuic.