Dani Olmo returned with a bang for Barcelona, scoring twice in their 3-1 win over Espanyol in the Catalan derby on Sunday. The victory moved Barca nine points clear at the top of LaLiga, further solidifying their lead over second-placed Real Madrid, whose fixture against Valencia was postponed due to severe floods in the region. Olmo's impact was immediate and decisive, marking his first start since returning from injury, as he powered Barcelona to an early lead at the Olympic Stadium.
Barcelona established control quickly, going three goals up by the 31st minute. Alongside Olmo’s two goals, Brazilian winger Raphinha found the net, demonstrating the effectiveness of Hansi Flick’s attacking strategy. Olmo's return has evidently energized Barca’s frontline, and his standout performance signaled he is ready to make a significant impact in the season's remaining fixtures. "I'm back, enjoying it, playing, winning, and I want more," Olmo said post-match. Flick, impressed with Olmo’s display, noted, “He knows how to score goals. This was very important for us today.”
Despite the convincing scoreline, Espanyol mounted a spirited comeback in the second half, scoring three times—although each goal was ruled out for offside before Javi Puado managed to secure a legitimate consolation goal. Barcelona’s lax second-half performance was not lost on Flick, who admitted, “We lost concentration... but I accept that because we won. However, for Wednesday’s game in Europe, we need to step up.”
Elsewhere, Atletico Madrid secured a 2-0 win over Las Palmas, with coach Diego Simeone’s son, Giuliano, scoring his first goal for the club. The young Simeone's contribution was particularly poignant, as he dedicated his success to those affected by the tragic floods in Valencia. “I'm very happy for my first goal for Atletico, but we can't ignore everything that's happening in Valencia,” he said, sending support to the flood victims.
Diego Simeone also expressed pride in his son’s hard work and adaptability, stating that Giuliano’s effort, not his name, earned him a spot on the team. “He has a responsibility and not a name… those who run most, play, and those who don’t, play less,” remarked the coach, emphasizing his commitment to team performance over individual status.
Barcelona and Atletico’s weekend victories came against a somber backdrop, as LaLiga observed moments of solidarity and collected donations for the victims of the Valencia floods.
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