Barcelona midfielder Dani Olmo might not have been at Camp Nou, but he could scarcely have wished for a better debut against Rayo Vallecano. The 26-year-old, who came through the academy at La Masia, before heading to Dinamo Zagreb as a 15-year-old, went on at half-time and scored the second in a 2-1 comeback win.
Olmo has spoken during his press duties about what it means to come back to Barcelona, and fulfil the dream of playing for the club as a boyhood fan. After the Rayo victory, Olmo spoke to the media post-match, and dropped two hints that he has been paying close attention to their fortunes.
“I’ve been waiting for many days, ever since I arrived I’ve been looking forward to the first match, the debut, and what better way? We haven’t won here for many years, so it’s unbeatable,” Olmo told the TV cameras, as quoted by MD.
💭 A dream debut for Dani Olmo pic.twitter.com/mmptsC7P3I
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) August 28, 2024
Barcelona were three years and three games without a win at Vallecas, having taken just a single point from those games. Their last came with Lionel Messi on the pitch in the Copa del Rey in 2021, but not since 2018 have they been victorious away at Rayo in La Liga – albeit they were in Segunda.
The Euro 2024-winner also explained that the Rayo goalkeeper Dani Cardenas gave his first goal a special tinge.
“I looked for space to hit and I knew the goalkeeper Cardenas very well because he is a friend of mine from Terrassa, it is special that the first goal was against him.”
“We had to control the game more in general. They were tired and we had to defend with the ball and we deserved this victory.”
Barça will have it very difficult to make signings in the remainder of the window. the club aren't planning to go down the bank guarantee route, no major investor will arrive for Barça Vision and neither will the agreement with Nike be forced. @RogerSaperas
— barcacentre (@barcacentre) August 29, 2024
Later during his various interviews, Olmo explained that his penalty appeal turned down after a challenge from Florian Lejeune was inspired by a Barcelona legend that many children have tried to imitate.
“At the moment I wanted to avoid him by doing the Iniesta dribble, as they say, but I noticed that his leg was in the way and I couldn’t continue and I fell, but if the referee has interpreted that it wasn’t enough, he will have his reasons, the important thing is the victory.”
Dani Olmo living the dream. #FCBarcelona pic.twitter.com/CfghzM0MVT
— Football España (@footballespana_) August 29, 2024
Earlier in the game, Olmo showed the sort of feet that Iniesta would be proud of, moving the ball out of a tricky situation in his own half to set up a counter-attack. The shifting of the ball from one foot to another is a minor looking skill, but it saw Iniesta away from many players in his time.
