Dani Olmo speaks after scoring match-winning goal in Catalan derby: ‘Extremely happy’ | OneFootball

Dani Olmo was the hero for Barcelona on Saturday night at the RCDE Stadium as he hooked the ball into the top corner from a difficult angle with just four minutes to spare.

The moment of brilliance showed exactly why the player is so highly rated and helped him continue the good run of form he was in before his injury at the end of 2025.

Olmo started the game on the bench and came on only for the final 26 minutes of the game. His impact in that short duration, however, was profound as he scored one goal, completed 100% of his passes, and had two shots on target.

Dani Olmo speaks

Barcelona’s difference-maker on the night spoke to the media after the game and began with the elephant in the room – Joan Garcia’s performance.

“Joan García? Unbelievable. He was great in front of his former team’s fans. He delivered a great match and kept a clean sheet.” 

“He will give us a lot. He is delivering the performance for us now and will definitely give us a lot more,” he added.

Speaking on his performance personally and how it felt to score the winner in such a tense fixture, Olmo said,

“Very good to score today. Especially to celebrate the New Year with a victory, so we are extremely happy!”

Olmo’s goal was a thing of beauty. (Photo by David Ramos/Getty Images)

“Two players coming from the bench scoring? Yes, we need to be focused, whether it’s those who start the match or those who come in from the bench,” he added on the impact of substitutes.

“In the end, that’s what it’s all about, we are a team; we win all together, and we lose all together, and in the end everyone has to contribute,” he concluded.

The player then opened up on his fitness and how he felt coming back from his shoulder injury.

“My injury?  I’m fine. In the end, this last injury was just bad luck.”  

“I always try to move forward in everything, with the same mindset, and with the same strength,” he added.

The Spaniard then continued reminiscing about the goalscoring feeling he experienced at the RCDE Stadium and how the goal was set up well by Fermin Lopez.

“I’m very happy. I had a strong desire to start the year with a victory, and especially here in this stadium against Espanyol, and I’m very happy that we achieved that.”

“Fermín passed the ball to me perfectly so I could finish it with one touch. That was what I was looking for, so I’m very happy that it went into the net,” he added.

“I think we kept pushing. I think the team put in a good performance. In the end, we’re happy with the three points, but it’s clear that we need to keep improving things,” he elaborated, praising the team.

Finally, Olmo praised Espanyol for the resilient display they put up in the derby and all the grit they showed.

“Espanyol put up a great match, but we did too, and in the end we scored. I think we should be satisfied, and now on to the Super Cup.”

“The Super Cup? We’re looking forward to it with passion. Tomorrow we’ll rest, and on Monday we’ll head there, so we’re ready for everything,” he added on the upcoming Spanish Super Cup.

Source: Barça One