Dani Olmo backs Hansi Flick’s new-look Barcelona attack after Lewandowski exit
Barcelona are reshaping their attack after Robert Lewandowski’s exit, with Dani Olmo confident that Hansi Flick has enough options to maintain a challenge in both La Liga and the Champions League. Rather than replacing the former centre-forward with another fixed focal point, Flick is expected to use movement, pressing and interchangeable forwards.
Barcelona’s new-season picture
| Item | Detail | Context |
|---|---|---|
| Key departure | Robert Lewandowski | Barcelona must replace his goals and presence in attack |
| Major arrival | Rodri from Manchester City | Expected to provide control and defensive balance in midfield |
| Champions League drought | Since 2015 | Barcelona have not won Europe’s leading club prize in 11 years |
| World Cup winners | Eight | Part of a squad carrying increased international confidence |
Olmo described Lewandowski as a uniquely historic striker, while stressing that Barcelona have built alternatives for the No 9 role. Raphinha has been used through the middle, Gabriel Jesus has joined the squad, and Hamza Abdelkarim has impressed. Olmo and Fermin López are also viewed as possible central attacking options when Flick wants a more fluid front line.
The midfielder believes the recruitment has broadened the coach’s choices. Alongside Jesus, Barcelona have added Rodri, Karim Adeyemi and Anthony Gordon, giving Flick further depth across midfield and attack.
Rodri’s arrival is particularly significant. Olmo sees the Spain international as the closest available fit to the role once occupied by Sergio Busquets: a positional midfielder capable of protecting the team’s shape, controlling transitions and allowing more creative players to find space further forward.
Barcelona’s intended approach will continue to involve an aggressive defensive line and intense pressure without the ball. Olmo accepted that the system can expose the side at times, but said the squad have the experience to judge when to press, when to hold their positions and when cover is required behind the defence.
European lessons and academy strength
The Champions League remains the principal target for a club that has fallen short in recent campaigns. Defeats and eliminations involving Inter and Atletico Madrid were painful, but Olmo believes those experiences have helped a young group develop greater maturity for the decisive stages of the competition.
He said European ties are frequently settled by narrow margins and that Barcelona now have a better understanding of what is required. Flick has placed particular emphasis on concentration, work rate and collective defensive responsibility, with attackers expected to contribute when the team are out of possession.
Barcelona’s academy remains central to that long-term confidence. Olmo highlighted Marc Bernal, Lamine Yamal and Xavi Espart among the emerging players, while noting that Pedri remains young despite having already spent six or seven years performing at elite level.
World Cup confidence returns to club football
Spain’s World Cup victory over Argentina in New Jersey has also strengthened the mood within the Barcelona dressing room. Eight members of the squad returned as world champions, and Olmo said the achievement had changed the players’ outlook as they moved back into club competition.
He described the success as life-changing and said the scale of it may only become fully clear with time. Recognition from supporters at opposing stadiums has underlined the status of the players involved, but Flick’s response has been to demand that the group immediately pursue further trophies with Barcelona.
