Hansi Flick was seething after Barcelona’s 3-0 victory over Osasuna on Thursday night.

“Its not a good thing,” Flick raged after the whistle. “It wasn’t the right time for this match. After the international matches this wasn’t good. We have three points more, but we paid a high price.”

That high price was an injury to star attacking midfielder Dani Olmo, who scored at the second time of asking during the victory over Osasuna when he was ordered to retake his previously miscued penalty kick.

The 26-year-old lasted just seven more minutes before being withdrawn due to an adductor injury, trudging off the turf with a look of resignation etched across his face. Fermin Lopez replaced him as Barcelona secured an important victory that moved them three points clear of La Liga title rivals Real Madrid – well, unless Osasuna’s appeal is successful.

Flick was infuriated with the scheduling of the match, rearranged just days after the March international break concluded after the initial fixture has been postponed following the death of Barcelona’s club doctor, Carles Minarro Garcia. Despite appeals from both La Blaugrana and Osasuna, the fixture was staged on Thursday evening regardless.

The quick turnaround between international fixtures and Barcelona’s return to domestic action could be one factor attributed to Olmo’s injury. The Spain ace played 84 minutes on Sunday evening against the Netherlands and now appears set for a spell on the sidelines.

Immediate reports have suggested that the summer recruit will be missing for a minimum of two weeks, but that spell of absence could rise to three. With crucial fixtures domestically and in Europe on the horizon, it’s an almighty blow for the Catalan giants.

If Olmo is stuck on the treatment table for the next three weeks then he would miss seven matches for Barcelona, including both legs of the Champions League quarter-finals against Borussia Dortmund and the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final with Atletico Madrid – the scoreline is tied at 4-4 from a chaotic first encounter at the end of February.

Three La Liga home games against Girona, Real Betis and Celta Vigo could be spent in the stands, as well as a trip to Leganes in two weeks.

Flick will be forced to look at alternatives in Olmo’s usual number ten position over the coming games, with Thursday’s replacement Lopez likely to earn some minutes. Raphinha has also been used centrally this season, while Gavi and Pablo Torre are other candidates for the role.