Dani Olmo made a triumphant return to Barcelona as he scored the winning goal in a thrilling 2-1 comeback victory against Rayo Vallecano in LaLiga. The 26-year-old missed the first two games of the season due to registration issues but made an instant impact upon his debut.
Olmo, who recently joined Barcelona in a €55 million deal from RB Leipzig, came off the bench at half-time and netted the decisive goal in the 82nd minute. His goal sealed Barcelona's third consecutive win at the start of the season, with Pedri also contributing to the comeback after Rayo Vallecano took an early lead.
The Spanish international expressed his joy at the successful debut, stating, 'It was a dream debut for me. I had no doubt when Barcelona knocked on my door. I was confident the club would resolve the registration issue, and I'm really happy to be back.'
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick praised Olmo's performance, highlighting his impact on the team's ball possession and goal-scoring abilities. Flick emphasized the importance of Olmo's contribution in the second half, which ultimately led to the team's victory.
Despite the positive start to the season, Flick remains focused on continuous improvement and emphasized the need for better performances in upcoming matches. Barcelona's win was overshadowed by a late injury to 17-year-old Marc Bernal, with concerns over a potential anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Barcelona's victory against Rayo Vallecano marks a significant milestone as they become the only team in LaLiga to secure three consecutive wins at the start of the season since the 2018-19 campaign. The team's next challenge awaits as they prepare to face Real Valladolid in their upcoming fixture.