Hansi Flick surprises Ancelotti and Real Madrid with an unexpected player in Barcelona’s starting lineup

After Barcelona’s convincing 4-1 victory over Bayern Munich, the German coach sees little need to alter his system but is contemplating a strategic tweak to catch Real Madrid off guard.Barcelona heads into tonight’s match atop the La Liga standings with 27 points from 10 games, three points ahead of Real Madrid. A win tonight would greatly enhance the Catalan team’s confidence in the league. According to the Spanish newspaper “El Nacional,” Flick has a secret weapon for this encounter against Carlo Ancelotti’s side: Dani Olmo.The Spanish midfielder has been recovering from an injury that sidelined him recently, but he played a few minutes against Bayern and appeared fit. Flick, who relied on him in key matches prior to his injury, considers Olmo a crucial asset in Barcelona’s midfield, especially for a vital match like El ClásicoThe Barcelona coach values Olmo’s touch and vision—attributes that could prove pivotal in breaking through Real Madrid’s defense. While Fermin Lopez performed well against Bayern, demonstrating confidence, Flick believes Olmo adds an extra dimension with his ball skills.The former RB Leipzig player excels at creating plays in tight spaces, which could be essential in a tactical, fast-paced game at the Bernabéu. Olmo’s inclusion in the starting lineup likely necessitates a change in formation, with Fermin expected to make way for him despite his strong showing last match.

Flick is optimistic that Olmo’s experience and talent in high-stakes games will make a significant impact against Real Madrid, who boast a seasoned midfield led by players like Valverde and Luka Modric.