After two days without being able to play due to not being registered in LaLiga, Dani Olmo was finally able to make his official debut in Vallecas with FC Barcelona and he did it in an unbeatable way. The one from Terrassa replaced Ferran Torres at halftime and revolutionized the game as soon as he entered, causing a clear foul by Lejeune inside the area that both the VAR and the main Soto Grado overlooked. Luckily for him and for Barça, football gave him revenge minutes later.
The '20' took control of the Barça midfield, positioning himself alongside Pedri as an interior on the right or as a midfielder. In the 57th minute he warned with a powerful long-range shot that hit the crossbar, with Barça focused on attack and Rayo struggling to maintain the lead. Olmo's presence made Raphinha return to the left side, while Pedri appeared closer to the area. The tandem between the Brazilian and the Canarian allowed the culés to equalize the match in the 60th minute, thanks to the good definition of the '8' after an excellent one-two with the '11'.
Dani Olmo's great goal crowned a dream debut
Barça turned it around in the 70th minute with a goal from Lewandowski, but the VAR noticed a stomp by Koundé on Chavarría and the principal ended up annulling the goal. However, the culés continued to create danger on the right with the Lamine-Olmo partnership and, in the 82nd minute, a good run by the winger ended in an assist for the former RB Leipzig player. Without wasting time, Dani controlled and positioned himself to take a low left foot shot, unstoppable for goalkeeper Cárdenas.
It was the icing on the cake of a dream debut for the man from Terrassa on his return to Barcelona a decade later. LaLiga, as expected, awarded him as the 'MVP' of a match that Barça ended up winning fairly, beyond suffering in stoppage time with a Rayo team that attacked a lot with crosses and set pieces in the final moments.
In total, Dani completed 21 of 25 passes (84%), with 3 shots (one on goal, one on the crossbar and one blocked by an opponent) and a couple of successful dribbles in the same number of attempts. In addition, he created 2 opportunities and recovered 3 balls, while in individual duels he had an efficiency of 50% (three won and three lost). In terms of discipline, he did not commit any ingratitude and received a foul in the 45 minutes he played.
Dani Olmo reveals the key to his great game in Vallecas
After the game, Olmo spoke with 'DAZN' about his feelings about the debut and the Barça victory. "I felt very good, I was really looking forward to it, I felt very good physically, ready to play; very happy to have made my debut and helped the team," commented the midfielder, in addition to admitting his anxiety about a debut that took longer than expected . "We haven't won here for many years, so it's unbeatable," he added.
And, regarding his first feelings on the field, Dani made it clear where and how he hopes to play in Barcelona. "Wherever the coach puts me I will try to give my best, today he put me in midfield behind Robert, but I can play on both wings and wherever I play I will try to give my best. I always try to find chances, Lamine has found me very well, I have defined very good so good goal", pointed out the one from Terrassa.