Barcelona fans finally have something to smile about as Hansi Flick welcomes back Robert Lewandowski and Dani Olmo to the squad ahead of Sunday’s La Liga showdown with Elche at the Montjuïc Olympic Stadium. Softfootball understands that both players have been given full medical clearance, as revealed by the club’s official X account after spending weeks on the sidelines, and their return couldn’t come at a better time for the Catalan giants.
Barcelona posted:
Lewandowski, who had been nursing a muscle injury, and Olmo, recovering from a stubborn knee problem, missed some crucial matches, including fixtures against Girona, Olympiacos, and Real Madrid. Their absence was deeply felt, especially in attack, where Barcelona struggled for consistency and a clinical edge.
However, Softfootball earlier revealed that both players were back and firing in training, and now, with both stars back to a competitive level, Flick’s squad suddenly looks much sharper and more balanced heading into a busy November filled with La Liga and Champions League commitments.
The full 21-man squad features a mix of first-team regulars and emerging young talents: Szczesny, Kochen, Eder Aller, Balde, Ronald Araujo, Cubarsí, Gerard Martín, Kounde, Eric, Xavi Espart, Fermín, Marc Casadó, Olmo, Frenkie De Jong, Bernal, Dro, Ferran Torres, Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, Rashford, and Roony.
An excited Barcelona Media team posted a video of Barcelona’s dressing room soon in a post made via the club’s official X account, revealing that the Polish striker is definitely part of the team that takes on Elche today.
Watch the video:
For Flick, this is a timely boost, as the German manager has been forced to try out some youngsters in training in a bid to maximise what the academy has to offer, a situation that youngster Tommy Marques enjoyed on his 19th birthday. Lewandowski brings back his trademark goal-scoring instinct, while Olmo adds much-needed flair and creativity to the midfield. With Barcelona currently sitting in the top three, the challenge now is maintaining that momentum.
Fans will be watching closely to see how Flick reshuffles his starting XI and whether the returning duo can inspire Barça to another crucial win.
