Barcelona star ends 40-match goal drought at the perfect time ahead of PSG and Real Madrid clashes

Barcelona star ends 40-match goal drought at the perfect time ahead of PSG and Real Madrid clashes Barcelona secured a thumping 5-2 victory over Real Betis despite not being at their best, setting the tone for a crucial week in their season. The Catalan giants travel to France to face PSG next before welcoming Real Madrid for the first league Clasico of the season. One major positive for Barça from the Betis game was Dani Olmo’s cameo off the bench and the sensational goal he scored. Olmo has finally rediscovered his goalscoring touch, ending a lengthy drought, and his return to the scoresheet could not have come at a better time. Olmo delivers after coming off the bench The Spain international entered the match against Betis in the 62nd minute and needed around 20 minutes to make his mark, scoring Barcelona’s fifth goal at La Cartuja. Despite his lack of goals, however, the 28-year-old has remained an influential creative presence. Dani Olmo has been a creative influence at Barcelona. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images) During his drought, he registered 13 assists and played an important role in Spain’s World Cup triumph, featuring in every match and providing two assists. This season, Olmo has already contributed four assists for Barcelona across La Liga and the Champions League, alongside three for Spain in the Nations League. His latest goal comes ahead of a demanding week featuring a Champions League meeting with PSG and the Clasico against Real Madrid on 25 October. Flick faces a welcome selection dilemma Olmo’s return to form also intensifies his competition with Fermin Lopez for Barcelona’s attacking midfield position. Fermin has enjoyed a strong start to the campaign and strengthened his case against Betis, providing the assist for Rodri’s goal. He also scored against Galatasaray, while Olmo started the matches against Getafe and the Turkish side before making his impact from the bench on Saturday. Fermin is playing at an incredible level at Barcelona. (Photo by Burak Kara/Getty Images) Fermin brings relentless movement, pressing and a willingness to attack the penalty area. Olmo offers greater composure between the lines, intelligent positioning and the ability to unlock compact defences. Against PSG, Flick will have to decide which of the two attacking midfield maestros to name in his starting line-up. Importantly, neither player needs to start every match to influence the outcome. Both are equally adept at coming off the bench and turning a game in their team’s favour. With two enormous fixtures approaching, Barcelona now have two confident, in-form players competing for one of the most influential positions in Flick’s system. As a manager, that is the kind of headache Hansi Flick would welcome, and it remains to be seen who starts at the Parc des Princes.