Despite operating in very similar areas of the pitch, Barcelona midfielders Dani Olmo and Fermín López played a key role in the team’s impressive comeback in the Champions League. What looks complicated on paper has worked in practice — largely thanks to their intelligence and tactical flexibility.
At first glance, Olmo and Fermín seem to compete for the same role. Both are creative midfielders who like to operate between the lines, attack the box, and influence the final third. Under Hansi Flick, however, their versatility has allowed Barcelona to use them together without losing balance or control.
How the partnership works
The clearest recent example came against Copenhagen, when Flick had to reshuffle his midfield due to the absences of Pedri and Frenkie de Jong. Olmo dropped deeper into a more central midfield role, while Fermín stayed closer to his usual advanced position. The adjustment worked smoothly and gave Barcelona the structure they needed to complete their comeback.
This was not an isolated case. Olmo and Fermín have shared the pitch several times this season, and the results strongly support Flick’s idea. Barcelona have won every match in which both players started together, including the 4–2 win over Celta Vigo, the dominant 4–0 victory against Athletic Club, and the recent Champions League clash.
A comfortable pairing
Against Copenhagen, Olmo looked comfortable in his deeper role, with his vision standing out — especially with the pass that led to Barcelona’s opening goal. He covered large areas of the pitch and finished the match with an impressive 86% pass accuracy.
Fermín was also sharp in possession, completing 91% of his passes. While he was not as decisive as in some previous matches, his movement and energy were still crucial in keeping Barcelona on the front foot.
Now Flick faces an important decision ahead of the trip to Elche in La Liga. With Pedri still unavailable, the coach must decide whether to trust the Olmo–Fermín duo again or opt for a more cautious setup to better protect the midfield and limit the opponent’s transitions.
