Dani Olmo scored one goal and set up the other as Spain beat Germany 2-1 in the quarter-finals. Photograph: Manu Fernández/AP

Why Spain need to pick Dani Olmo for their semi-final against France

The super-sub midfielder has two goals and two assists at Euro 2024. He has earned a starting spot

Losing a key midfielder in the eighth minute of a quarter-final would prove the undoing of most sides. When Pedri was forced off in Spain’s eventual 2-1 win over Germany on Friday, having been on the receiving end of a nasty challenge from Toni Kroos, Luis de la Fuente had no need to panic. The Barcelona player has become a mainstay for the national team over the last few years, but Spain are blessed with many technically gifted midfielders.

The 21-year-old has suffered his fair share of injury issues in the past and is yet to play the full 90 minutes in any of his four outings at Euro 2024. In three of those games he has been replaced by Dani Olmo. That a player of Olmo’s calibre does not start for La Roja speaks volumes of the midfielders available to Spain. The RB Leipzig player has been a real asset when called upon in Germany: he has been directly involved in four of Spain’s 11 goals, scoring twice and providing two assists (a goal contribution every 66 minutes). He did not start the quarter-final against Germany, but he finished it with a goal, an assist and the player of the match award.

Truth be told, Pedri’s injury could end up being a blessing in disguise for Spain. Standing between La Roja and a place in Sunday’s final are tournament bores France. Les Bleus have only scored three goals in five games – one penalty and two own goals – although, to be fair, they have only conceded one: a Robert Lewandowski penalty in their group game against Poland.

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As Portugal discovered on Friday night in their quarter-final, breaking down this France defence requires something more subtle than simply a traditional frontman. Dayot Upamecano, William Saliba and Mike Maignan are all more than capable of repelling direct threats. Álvaro Morata is set to lead the line for Spain in Munich on Tuesday night – contrary to some early reports, he did not receive a yellow card in the win against Germany so is available – and Olmo could prove the perfect foil for his captain.

Pedri has the vision to pry apart backlines but Olmo is a far more effective driving force. Lamine Yamal is the only Spain player to have completed more dribbles (3.3 per 90 minutes) than Olmo (3.1) at the tournament. And Olmo’s willingness to get on the ball and force opponents on the back foot could prove key against this resolute France defence.

Morata being available will suit Olmo. The Atlético Madrid striker has his critics, but his tireless running drag markers out of position. This in turn opens up space to be exploited. His work has benefited Spain’s wingers, Lamine Yamal and Nico Williams, who cut inside from the right and left flanks, respectively. With an additional attacking option through the middle in the form of Olmo, Spain become even more mobile and unpredictable.

That’s not to say it will be plain sailing. France have proven incredibly difficult to break down due to their imperious midfield trio of N’Golo Kanté, Aurélien Tchouaméni and one of Eduardo Camavinga or Adrien Rabiot shielding a steadfast backline. It’s no wonder they are so tight at the back. Maignon has conceded one goal, kept four clean sheets and only faced 17 shots on target in five matches.

Spain will have to exploit the rare pockets of space they find in the final third. Pedri would have created chances for teammates, but Olmo’s presence means they have three attack-minded ball carriers on the pitch rather than two, which feels more significant if they are to overcome France and set up a final against either England or the Netherlands.

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Olmo has excelled as a super sub at Euro 2024, coming off the bench against exhausted defenders who have already expended plenty of energy chasing shadows. He fulfils that role brilliantly but he has earned his place in the starting XI. His inclusion from the start in the semi-final would give Spain another player who will get the ball down and run at opponents.

Given the raft of defensive-minded players at Didier Deschamps’ disposal, it’s no surprise that France have been dribbled past less than any other team at the tournament (4.2 times per 90 minutes). Then again, they have not come up against a team like Spain that relies heavily on wingers to do damage in the final third. Expect that to change when they face Williams, Lamine Yamal and Olmo. How France go about stopping this trio could well be the deciding factor at the Allianz Arena on Tuesday night.