Barcelona welcome Dani Olmo back to training, considering Elche

Dani Olmo has returned to Barcelona training, having only participated in part of this morning's session, and is in the final stages of his recovery from a left calf injury. Hansi Flick will monitor the Spaniard's response over the next few days before deciding whether to give him a chance against Elche this weekend at the Olimpic de Montjuic, or wait until next week's Champions League tie. With Barcelona having just lost El Clasico and trailing Real Madrid by five points, this is a timely return to midfield.

Recovery progress: from national team injury to return

Olmo suffered an injury during a recent training session with the Spanish national team, forcing him to withdraw and undergo medical tests. The results confirmed muscle damage but no torn connective tissue. Barcelona did not announce a specific time, but the initial estimate was 2-3 weeks of rest. After more than two and a half weeks of treatment, the midfielder born in 1998 was able to rejoin the group, awaiting a final assessment of his ability to withstand increased physical activity.

Professional impact: adding creative options to midfield

Before his injury, Olmo was a mainstay in Hansi Flick’s system, featuring in four of Barcelona’s last five games. His return at a time when the schedule is packed with fixtures gives the Catalans more creative options in midfield, especially in situations where they need to lock down a game. In terms of personnel management, Olmo’s presence also allows Flick to rotate more appropriately to preserve the team’s fitness.

Ability to play: Elche or wait for Champions League?

According to Marca, the final decision will depend on Olmo's condition in the next training sessions. A positive scenario opens up the opportunity to play against Elche; but if caution is needed, Barcelona can wait until the middle of next week, when the Champions League returns. The goal is to ensure a stable physical condition, avoiding the risk of re-injury as soon as the competition returns.

Team background: Lewandowski practices lightly, the attack gradually recovers

Along with Olmo, Robert Lewandowski also practiced lightly with the team, a sign that Barcelona's attack is gradually recovering after a difficult period due to injuries. In the competition in La Liga, each returning piece is important, helping Flick have more personnel options and adjust the attack tempo appropriately for each match.

Impact on La Liga race

After the defeat in El Clasico, Barcelona are second in La Liga and five points behind Real Madrid. The return of key players like Olmo — who featured in four of the last five games before his injury — is essential for Barcelona to maintain their momentum. With the gap still within reach, optimizing the available squad and distributing fitness levels will be a strategic priority.

Selected statistics

• Olmo returns: part of the training session with the team.
• Injury: left calf muscle, no connective tissue tear.
• Initial estimated recovery time: 2–3 weeks; now over two and a half weeks into treatment.
• Before injury: appeared in 4/5 of Barcelona's most recent matches.
• Current La Liga position: 2nd, 5 points behind Real Madrid.

Status Summary Table

In the short term, Olmo’s timely return is a morale booster for the dressing room and a tactical space for Hansi Flick to consider. The final decision remains: Elche at the weekend, or a safer return in the Champions League.