Dani Olmo puts Barcelona’s winning run ahead of his personal goal drought
Dani Olmo says he never worried about going without a goal as Barcelona continued their perfect start to the La Liga season. For the attacking midfielder, individual statistics mattered far less than the team’s results—a message he reinforced after scoring in Barcelona’s 5-2 victory over Real Betis.
Olmo ended his spell without a goal by finding the net in the ninth round of the league campaign. His strike was Barcelona’s fifth of the night at La Cartuja, capping an emphatic performance and helping preserve the club’s record of nine wins from nine matches. With a demanding week ahead, the result also offered a timely boost in confidence.
Olmo’s goal drought was never a concern
Speaking to Barcelona’s official channel, Olmo said he was pleased to be scoring and creating chances again, but stressed that his own return to the scoresheet was not the priority. The team had kept winning while he was waiting for his next goal, and that was what mattered most to him.
“I’m very happy to keep scoring or creating goals, and happy to keep contributing with the team,” Olmo said. “I hadn’t scored a goal for a while, but that didn’t matter to me. All I wanted was for the team to win, and it was already winning. I’m happy, but my happiness comes from the fact that the team won and we took the three points.”
That attitude reflects the collective focus behind Barcelona’s strong opening to the season. A forward’s value is not measured only by goals: pressing, movement, link-up play and the ability to create space for teammates can all shape a match. Olmo’s flexibility has given the coaching staff another way to influence games, even when he is not the player finishing the chances.
From false nine to playmaker
Olmo has already shown that he can take on different attacking responsibilities. Against Galatasaray, he was used as a false nine, dropping into deeper areas and helping connect Barcelona’s midfield with the forward line. Against Betis, he operated as a playmaker, where his vision and ability to find pockets of space helped the team build attacks.
That tactical range could be especially valuable during a busy stretch of fixtures. Barcelona’s opponents will bring different challenges, and the ability to adjust Olmo’s position gives the team options in how it progresses the ball and creates chances. He can support a central striker, carry possession between the lines or help dictate the tempo from behind the front line.
His goal against Betis adds another layer to that contribution. Beyond ending the drought, it was a reward for staying involved and continuing to play within the team’s structure. For Barcelona supporters, the bigger takeaway may be that Olmo is finding ways to influence matches across several roles—not simply waiting for opportunities to score.
Barcelona face a decisive week
The Betis win arrives before two of the most anticipated fixtures on Barcelona’s calendar. The Catalan club travel to Paris Saint-Germain for a Champions League match on Tuesday, with kick-off scheduled for 9 p.m. They then turn their attention to the Clasico, hosting Real Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday at the same time.
Olmo acknowledged the scale of the challenge, describing the coming week as an exciting one for the squad. Barcelona will face the reigning Champions League winners in Europe before meeting their biggest domestic rivals in La Liga. The quick turnaround leaves little time to dwell on the Betis result, but the victory gives the team momentum to carry into both contests.
Matches against PSG and Real Madrid demand more than attacking quality. Barcelona will need to manage possession carefully, stay organised when defending transitions and make the most of chances when they arrive. Olmo’s ability to operate in different areas may help the side respond to changing match conditions, particularly if either opponent presses aggressively or leaves space between the lines.
What Olmo’s form could mean for the Clasico
There is no reliable prediction for a Clasico, where form and history can both be overturned in a single moment. Still, Barcelona’s nine straight league victories provide a strong foundation, while Olmo’s renewed scoring touch offers another attacking threat for opponents to consider. His movement and passing could be as important as his finishing if Real Madrid attempt to limit Barcelona’s central options.
The PSG match may also shape the mood and physical condition of the squad ahead of Sunday. A positive European performance would strengthen Barcelona’s belief, while the coaching staff will have to balance the demands of two high-profile games in a matter of days. Squad depth, recovery and smart rotation could prove decisive as the team pursues success on both fronts.
For Olmo, however, the approach remains straightforward: contribute wherever the team needs him and judge success by the result. His goal against Betis was a welcome personal milestone, but Barcelona’s perfect league record remains the headline. With PSG and Real Madrid next, the midfielder’s adaptability and team-first outlook could become important assets in a defining week for the club’s season.
