Two members of the first-team ranks at La Liga giants Barcelona endured altogether contrasting performances in the club’s latest outing.
The pair in question? Eric García, and Dani Olmo.
Both defender Eric and midfielder Olmo were in from the off this evening, as Barcelona welcomed Paris Saint-Germain to Catalunya’s capital for a Champions League clash.
When all was said and done in a high-quality affair, it was the latter who emerged on the right side of a 2-1 result.
Barcelona’s two Spanish internationals played their part in as much, but with vastly varying success.
Eric, from his berth at the heart of the hosts’ backline, shone bright, winning the vast majority of his individual duels, acting as a crucial last line of defence, and distributing the ball with poise and accuracy.
The former Manchester City man fully justified his inclusion over the likes of Ronald García and Andreas Christensen.
And then we come to Dani Olmo…
With Fermín López sidelined through injury at present, Olmo was handed the chance to prove himself Hansi Flick’s undisputed first-choice attacking midfielder.
But the 27-year-old simply couldn’t get things together over the course of the 90 minutes.
Sloppy and at times downright uninspired, Olmo struggled to get himself up to the pace of the game, looking a step behind those around him.
The Spaniard’s talents remain unquestionable, but major improvement will be required if Olmo hopes to establish himself as first-choice in Barcelona’s most high-profile fixtures.
Conor Laird – GSFN
