Injured Barcelona playmaker will test himself in group training today ahead of Elche clash | OneFootball

According to a fresh update from Carlo Montfort of SPORT, Barcelona midfielder Dani Olmo has made an encouraging step forward in his recovery, returning to light training on the pitch. 

The 27-year-old is expected to take part in group training today, after which his fitness and sensations will be assessed to determine if he is ready to make a full return.

Olmo picked up a calf injury earlier this month while on duty with the Spanish national team, and the problem worsened during training, forcing him to miss Barcelona’s last two matches. 

Determined to recover swiftly, the midfielder has been working tirelessly to regain his match sharpness and help the team in the coming fixtures.

Fortunately, Barcelona’s clean week without midweek games has given Olmo the breathing space he needs to recover without being rushed back into action. 

The club hopes he can be available for the upcoming weekend clash against Elche, which would mark an important boost for Hansi Flick’s side after a tough run of results.

Bad luck with injuries

Barcelona need to manage Olmo’s fitness very carefully. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Yesterday, we reported that Barcelona are increasingly concerned about Olmo’s fitness record. 

In fact, sporting director Deco met with the player’s agent to discuss the midfielder’s recurring injuries and set out a clear roadmap to manage his recovery more effectively going forward.

Olmo’s fitness record has been particularly worrying because, since 2021, he has suffered 11 separate injuries, mostly muscular, which have collectively kept him sidelined for 377 days. 

Over the last four and a half seasons, he has missed 85 of 252 potential matches, meaning he has been unavailable for nearly 34% of games across club and international duty.

At Barcelona alone, the figures remain concerning – 17 matches missed in his debut campaign, and the 2025/26 season has only just begun. 

The Blaugrana are hopeful that this latest recovery will mark a turning point for Olmo, whose creativity and versatility remain vital to Flick’s tactical plans.