Everyone at Barcelona, including coach Hansi Flick, was thrilled to receive the news that Dani Olmo and Pau Victor were cleared to play.
Before the match against Athletic Bilbao, Barcelona was energized by the positive update about Olmo and Victor, and it showed on the field. After their 2-0 victory over Bilbao in the first semi-final of the Spanish Super Cup on Wednesday night in Jeddah, coach Hansi Flick expressed how determined the team was to win for these two players. Gavi and Lamine Yamal scored one goal each in each half.
Barcelona had been uncertain about having Olmo and Victor available for the second half of the season. These two players were signed during the last summer transfer window, but due to La Liga’s financial regulations, Barcelona could only register them for the first part of the 2024-25 season.
Barcelona is currently fighting a legal battle to keep them for the full season. The Spanish National Sports Council (CSD) allowed the temporary registration of Olmo and Victor while the case is being reviewed by La Liga and the Spanish Football Federation (RFEF). The CSD confirmed that Barcelona could use them for matches until a final ruling is made. The news came just before Barcelona’s bus ride to the stadium for the Bilbao match.
Before the match, Flick told Movistar, “Now we have another reason to win this match.”
With this victory over Bilbao, Barcelona secured a place in the final, where they will face either Real Madrid or Mallorca. There are no further obstacles preventing Olmo and Victor from playing in the final.
After the match, Flick spoke at the press conference, praising the news of Olmo and Victor’s availability as a great boost for the team.
“I think it was good news for us before the match. We are a team, and we wanted to win for Dani Olmo and Pau Victor, as well as for the team,” Flick said.
“Of course, I am happy for these two players. I am happy for the whole team. I don’t want to talk about what happened in the past. We need to move forward, and I hope this will benefit us in the future.”
After scoring, Gavi celebrated with a gesture resembling Olmo checking the time, dedicating the goal to Olmo. “I had already told him that if I scored, I would celebrate like him. I dedicated it to him. Dani and Pau have been a great help to us, and we are all happy because they can play now.”
Yamal, who returned after an ankle injury and scored a goal three weeks later, also expressed his joy at Olmo and Victor being cleared to play. “We are so happy that they can play. I hope they will be with us in the final,” said the 17-year-old Spanish winger.
