The Spanish newspaper "Sport" revealed that Dani Olmo, a Barcelona player, will not be ready to participate in the Espanyol derby, marking the first obstacle for coach Hans Flick at the start of 2026, despite significant progress in his recovery from injury.

According to the Spanish newspaper "Sport," the conservative treatment that Olmo underwent to recover from a dislocation in his left shoulder has yielded positive results. However, involving him in the Espanyol derby next weekend is considered an early risk in such a high-intensity match, unless a last-minute surprise occurs.

Dani Olmo was injured on December 2 during the match against Atlético Madrid, immediately after scoring the go-ahead goal to make it 2-1. His absence was estimated to last about a month, with the medical team adhering to a precise schedule to avoid any potential complications.

The newspaper pointed out that this week will be crucial, as the player is expected to gradually join the group training sessions. However, it is likely that the medical clearance will be postponed until the days leading up to the start of the Spanish Super Cup tournament.

During his absence, Olmo continued to work individually and at a high pace despite the restrictions on his left shoulder. The coaching staff believes that a one-month absence is not a long period and will not significantly affect his physical readiness once he completes an adequate amount of intensive group training.

Barcelona will resume training with an open session for fans at the Johan Cruyff Stadium, with preparations intensifying starting Tuesday, ahead of the derby against Espanyol on Saturday, January 3.

According to the Spanish newspaper "Sport," Hans Flick is focusing on preparing Dani Olmo to participate in the Spanish Super Cup, specifically the semifinal match against Athletic Bilbao scheduled for January 7 in Saudi Arabia. Barcelona aims to secure their first title of the season and start the year strong.

The newspaper confirmed that Olmo was experiencing a clear period of brilliance before the injury, especially in terms of scoring. He is considered a key player who has the full confidence of Flick, with his official return expected to coincide with the Spanish Super Cup.