Nov 04, V7N-  Dani Olmo marked his return from injury with a stellar performance, scoring twice in Barcelona's 3-1 victory over Espanyol in the Catalan derby, extending Barcelona’s lead at the top of La Liga to nine points. Raphinha also found the net, contributing to a three-goal first-half blitz at the Olympic Stadium. Olmo, making his first start since mid-September, showed his form with an energetic display, including a well-taken first goal assisted by teenage star Lamine Yamal, who set him up with a brilliant outside-of-the-boot pass. 
 
Espanyol fought back in the second half, with Javi Puado scoring their only goal after several disallowed attempts. Barcelona coach Hansi Flick acknowledged a drop in his team’s intensity in the second half, noting it as a reminder that they’ll need to be sharper in upcoming European fixtures. Despite the second-half struggles, Flick praised Olmo's impact, noting his crucial goals and overall influence on the game.
 
Barcelona, still riding high after victories over Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, are thriving under Flick’s leadership. Olmo expressed his joy at being back in action and hinted at his hunger for more, saying, “I'm back, enjoying it, playing, winning, and I want more."
 
Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid secured a 2-0 victory over Las Palmas, with Diego Simeone’s son, Giuliano, scoring his first goal for the club. Nahuel Molina’s precise long ball set up Giuliano, who, starting on the right wing, finished with composure. Diego Simeone praised his son's work ethic, emphasizing that his place on the team is due to his effort rather than his name. Giuliano, like many others, dedicated his goal to those affected by the severe floods in the Valencia region.
 
The ongoing floods in eastern Spain, which have led to over 200 fatalities, cast a somber mood over the weekend's matches. Ferran Torres, the injured Barcelona winger from Valencia, stayed away from the stadium out of respect for the tragic events. Flick and Simeone both acknowledged the weight of the tragedy, with Simeone’s Atletico team organizing donations to support the affected communities.
 
In other La Liga action, Athletic Bilbao and Real Betis drew 1-1, with Pablo Fornals, who is from the flood-hit area of Castellon, scoring for Betis. Fornals was visibly emotional after the game, stating, “Today was not a day to celebrate anything, neither football, nor goals,” reflecting the sentiments shared by many players and fans across Spain this weekend.