Dani Olmo has been one of the stars of Euro 2024, despite not being a regular starter for Spain.
The RB Leipzig player picked up an assist against Albania, a goal against Georgia, and one of each in the victory over Germany. Olmo didn’t even start the quarter-final against the host nation, but came on quickly after Pedri was forced to leave the pitch.
Spain have been great, but Euro 2024 has not seen enough excitement or high quality. Leeds United icon Marcelo Bielsa has said recently that modern football is becoming less attractive for spectators to watch.
Bielsa probably wasn’t aiming that at players like Olmo and teams like Spain, but El Pais asked the 26-year-old for his view on those claims… and it gave him the chance to say he used to watch Leeds United press conferences.
El Pais quote him as saying: “Football is becoming more and more equal, and I don’t know if it means it’s more boring. That equality means there are fewer occasions, fewer individualities. You face a partner who is the same, or, if he is better or worse, the difference is very little. So, in that sense, equality means that the game does not have as much rhythm or that there are not as many scoring opportunities.
“Against Italy we played a great game and went 1-0 with an own goal. Is it less attractive because there are fewer goals? I think it was a great game. But I don’t want to contradict Bielsa. I regard him very high and my father much more. When he was at Athletic and Leeds I sometimes listened to their press conferences. Now less. For a football fan, Bielsa’s reflections are incredible.”
Dani Olmo is now expected to start the semi-final against France. Meanwhile, Bielsa is through to the Copa America semi-finals with Uruguay.
