Dani Olmo reveals what Barcelona learnt from 4-0 drubbing by Atletico

Barcelona midfielder Dani Olmo has opened up about the sobering lessons the squad absorbed after their 4-0 capitulation to Atlético Madrid in the first leg of the Copa del Rey tie at the Metropolitano, stressing that the defeat has reshaped the team's mindset for the remainder of the season.

Speaking to La Tribu, Olmo said the rout served as a stark reminder that knockout football is decided across 180 minutes, not 45. "The 4-0 taught us that a tie is played over two legs, that we can't afford to throw away a single match or even 45 minutes, that we have to be 100% focused and at our best," he explained. "When they score against us or take the lead, it's not the end of the world; there's another game. We have to keep going. Matches last 90 minutes; we can't expect to score two goals or come back before we've even tied."

While Hansi Flick's post-match admission that "lessons needed to be learned" underlined the scale of the setback, Olmo insists the squad's core philosophy remains intact. "Our style has changed a bit; we know when to use it more or less. It's a style that has led us to win four titles; we haven't done badly," he noted, adding that minor tweaks rather than a full overhaul are under way. "We know what we need to improve, and that's what we're trying to improve: conceding fewer goals, being more effective... Improving, that's the way forward."

Evidence of those adjustments surfaced in the subsequent Champions League duel with Newcastle. After grinding out a 1-1 draw at St James' Park, Barça returned to Camp Nou and produced a commanding performance to overturn the tie, suggesting the painful Atlético experience has sharpened their competitive edge.

Olmo, currently operating in an advanced midfield role, believes the squad's resilience points to bigger prizes still within reach. "There's plenty still to play for," he said, reinforcing the optimism around Flick's camp despite the ongoing absence of an elite No. 9.

With the second leg against Atlético looming and multiple competitions ahead, Barcelona will hope the harsh schooling in Madrid proves the catalyst for a trophy-laden climax to the campaign.