Spain’s heroes give Barcelona fuel to retain their interest – report | OneFootball

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The latest clash between Germany and Spain saw many Barcelona players in action. A much-anticipated quarterfinal clash between two heavyweights of the continent, it delivered on its promise of an immense contest. Fortunately for Barcelona, some questions of theirs received great answers in this game.

While the Catalan club may have lost Pedri at an early stage of the game, courtesy of a rather foul challenge by Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos, there was more for Barcelona to see afterwards. Beyond just the immense display from Barcelona superstar Lamine Yamal, the Catalan club received other gifts too.

For weeks, La Blaugrana have been linked to both RB Leipzig star Dani Olmo and Real Sociedad midfielder Mikel Merino. However, there has been much debate about whether or not they would be the best possible options for Barcelona if the club wants a real leap in quality.

As highlighted by Mundo Deportivo, however, it seems that the duo knew exactly what to do against Germany to showcase their quality. Both Spaniards arrived as substitutes into the game, and they both ended the game as match-winners for their country.

Olmo arrived to replace Pedri within the first ten minutes of the game, and the Spaniard ended up scoring the opener. By connecting sweetly and accurately with a brilliantly weighted pass by Lamine Yamal, the 26-year-old Leipzig star put the ball past Manuel Neuer and gave Spain the lead.

Throughout the game, the Barcelona target was relentless in terms of his presence. Sometimes attacking through the central channels, while other times he would take on the responsibility of covering the wings and even dropping deep to create for his teammates, the former Barcelona player and current target showcased exactly why he should be valued.

However, his parting gift for Spain in the game came as a brilliant cross towards 28-year-old Mikel Merino, another Barcelona target this summer. The club wants to bring him as their new pivot, given that he is a solid option that would also be cost-effective due to his contract expiring in 2025, and the player was not disappointing either.

In the dying minutes of extra-time, before the game would have gone to penalties, Merino rose the highest in the air to connect powerfully with Dani Olmo’s precise delivery. The rest, as people say, is history. That ball rustled itself into the back of the German net and gave Spain that 2-1 victory that they fought until the very end for.

While Barcelona may already have some very promising names representing the club in this European Championship, the two new hypothetical additions are giving La Blaugrana a lot to think about. With both Olmo and Merino showing their best qualities in a match of such high stakes, Barcelona may very well be forced to reevaluate the two Spaniards.