Barcelona and Flick waiting on Olmo ahead of Supercopa semi – Soccer News

Barcelona do not expect to have Dani Olmo available for Wednesday’s Supercopa de Espana semi-final against Athletic Bilbao, but Hansi Flick hopes the difficulties in registering him could galvanise the Blaugrana.

Barcelona signed Olmo from RB Leipzig in August for around €55million but were only allowed to register the midfielder for half the season, due to LaLiga wage cap rules.

Similar issues have prevented them from registering Pau Victor after he arrived from Girona in July, with both players in limbo as Barca battle to get their registrations ratified.

On Saturday, they lost their latest appeal to register both players for the rest of the campaign, and their last hope now rests with the Spanish government through the Administrative Sports Court (CSD).

“I don’t think it’s going to happen tomorrow, but we’re going to wait. The only thing we can do right now is wait,” Flick said when asked if the duo would make Wednesday’s game in Riyadh.

“It’s not so easy for us not to have two very important players. They have improved a lot. Dani Olmo is an excellent player, of course we miss him.

“But we have to continue. Of course it will have an effect, but this will give us the opportunity to be closer as a team. We have to show that we are a team.”

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However, Flick is not concerned the legal difficulties the club have faced with the two players will have a negative effect on their future recruitment.

“We know what the situation is and how immense this club is. When you know that, you sign no matter what,” Flick said. “It’s great to be able to work with people like that.”

Barcelona beat Athletic 2-1 when the sides met in LaLiga in August, but their opponents are on an excellent run of form, unbeaten in their last 15 matches in all competitions.

Flick’s side, meanwhile, have registered just one win in their last seven league games, slipping to third in the table with Athletic only two points behind them in fourth.

The German expects a tough game, but he does have winger Lamine Yamal available after the 17-year-old missed back-to-back matches with an ankle injury.

“I think he’s trained three or four times. He’s ready, he can play tomorrow,” Flick said.

“Playing against Athletic is always difficult. They are a very good team, they have very good players and a very good philosophy.”