What’s gone wrong for Dani Olmo at Barcelona this season — Analysis | OneFootball

FC Barcelona have had a mixed start to the 2025/26 season. They began the campaign in poor form but showed signs of resurgence after the season’s first international break. However, the positivity has quickly evaporated following their last couple of matches.

The Catalan club suffered back-to-back defeats to PSG in the Champions League and Sevilla in La Liga. Under Hansi Flick, the team has rarely experienced such setbacks, and one can only hope this serves as a much-needed wake-up call.

Among the many players struggling for form this season, none has been more disappointing than Dani Olmo. Barcelona’s marquee signing from last year has fallen far below his best level.

FC Barcelona spent significant money to bring in the Spanish playmaker at a time when their finances were already under strain. Last season, despite his injury problems, Olmo performed at an exceptionally high level whenever he was fit.

Just when many expected him to build on that and become more consistent, his performances have declined sharply. While part of the issue may stem from the player himself, it could also be due to the role Flick is asking him to play this season.

It has become clear in recent weeks that Flick has assigned Olmo a different role than the one he occupied last year. The 27-year-old is now operating mainly in the right half-spaces, and often deeper on that side, as part of an effort to overload the pitch.

For starters, this positioning restricts his passing angles, giving him only half the pitch to work with. Olmo is at his best when he functions as the creative hub in central areas, able to link up with teammates on both sides.

By confining him to one flank, his ability to connect with others diminishes. The second concern with this setup is the number of runs he is being asked to make behind the defensive line.

While this is a clever tactical ploy to pull defenders out of position and create openings for other attackers, it does not suit Olmo’s natural strengths. By contrast, this is precisely the type of role in which Fermin Lopez thrives as an attacking midfielder.

By asking Olmo to play in this way, Barcelona may be depriving him of what he does best: influencing play on the ball. When operating between the lines, Olmo feels most comfortable and effective.

His clever tricks and flicks, press resistance, body orientation, and vision to spot and execute intricate passes are what make him such a valuable asset to Flick’s side.

At the moment, though, there is a growing sense that Olmo is lacking confidence, and playing him in an unfamiliar role is not helping. Flick has shown during his tenure at the club that he excels at profiling players, but with the former Leipzig man, he seems to be getting it wrong.

The return of Fermin Lopez after the international break should allow Flick to rotate the pair and use each according to the demands of the game. As for Olmo, the pressure from the fanbase is mounting, and he needs to rediscover his form sooner rather than later.

An in-form Olmo is a joy to watch, and for the sake of the team, one can only hope he returns to that level and continues to contribute his immense talent to Barcelona’s cause.