Barcelona dealt new Dani Olmo injury blow
- Dani Olmo withdraws from Spain squad to face Switzerland on Sunday
- 26-year-old injured in draw with Serbia
- Barcelona hope Olmo's problem isn't serious
By Sean Walsh
Spain have sent Dani Olmo back to Barcelona after he picked up a knee injury during their 0-0 draw with Serbia.
La Roja's first match since being crowned champions of Europe at Euro 2024 ended goalless, with Luis de la Fuente's side being held to a stalemate away in Belgrade on Thursday night.
Late in the second half, Olmo had to be withdrawn after taking a heavy knock to the knee. There was hope he could recover in time to face Switzerland on Sunday, but it is now being widely reported that the 26-year-old will return to Barca instead.
Though the injury is not believed to be too serious, it was decided by Spain that it would be best for Olmo to rest rather than risk further injury.
Barcelona are back in La Liga action next Sunday when they travel to Catalan neighbours Girona, before kicking off their UEFA Champions League campaign away at AS Monaco the following Thursday.
Olmo has made an impressive start to life at Barca, scoring in each of his first two games - a 2-1 victory away at Rayo Vallecano in which he scored a late winner, and a 7-0 thrashing of Real Valladolid. Barcelona sit top of the table after four rounds of fixtures.
The club had to deselect the injured Andreas Christensen and clear Ilkay Gundogan's wages off the books in order to register summer signing Olmo in line with La Liga's strict financial regulations.
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