The Catalans drew 1-1 away from home against Newcastle United, a result that exposed Hansi Flick’s poor away record in the Champions League.
Advertisement
The result could have been much worse if it had not been for the impressive performance of one Dani Olmo.
After coming on as a substitute, it was Olmo who offered a little more spark in Barcelona’s attack and, in particular, won the penalty that led to Lamine Yamal’s late equalizer.
Dani Olmo: Barcelona’s guardian angel in the UCL?
As MARCA highlights, it is not the first time that Olmo has been crucial in a Champions League match this season.
Despite only having 20 minutes on the pitch at St. James’ Park, the Catalan midfielder was decisive in the last play of the match.
Dani Olmo played a crucial role in helping Barcelona get the tie. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images)
Advertisement
Olmo’s European heroics have been a recurring theme throughout the entire campaign. In Prague, on January 21, he entered with less than half an hour remaining and the score tied 2-2.
With his first touch, he unleashed a spectacular shot into the top corner to secure the 3-2 victory. He had a similar influence in the 4-1 win over Copenhagen, providing a spectacular pass to Lamine Yamal that started the play for Robert Lewandowski’s first goal.
Since returning from a shoulder injury in early January, Olmo has become an indispensable tool for Hansi Flick.
He has started 12 of Barcelona’s last 18 games, already exceeding the total number of minutes he played for the Blaugrana team throughout last season.
Its impact is not limited to Europe; In La Liga, his decisive goals against Alavés, Atlético de Madrid, Espanyol and Oviedo have been instrumental in keeping Barcelona at the top of the table.