Rodri stands as certainly one of FC Barcelona‘s most high-profile marquee signings throughout the 2026 summer season switch window. Now, because the Blaugrana open their 2026-27 La Liga marketing campaign away towards Elche CF on Sunday, August 23, questions have arisen over his full absence from the matchday squad.
Rodri is not going to take part within the season opener towards Elche resulting from a scarcity of match health. Having just lately finalized his transfer to Barcelona following an prolonged post-World Cup trip and rehabilitation from a minor again process, the Spanish worldwide has logged solely a handful of coaching periods together with his new membership.
Consequently, head coach Hansi Flick determined to go away Rodri out of the 23-man squad fully, holding him in Catalonia to finish his restoration moderately than touring to the Martinez Valero Stadium. In his absence, Gavi and Marc Bernal can be protecting the double pivot in midfield, with Pedri additionally out there within the rotation.
To this point, Rodri has been following a tailor-made conditioning program to regain peak health following Spain’s deep run to the 2026 World Cup remaining. Throughout current session blocks, the midfielder educated individually below an individualized routine, making an look towards Elche an unrealistic expectation for the teaching employees.
Talking in Saturday’s pre-match press convention, Flick addressed Rodri’s timeline after the marquee signing was noticed taking part in mild health club work alongside the squad: “He additionally educated on the pitch, he’s very concentrated, he’s targeted on going again, an our plan is that he’ll arrive on Monday with the staff. That is the plan, and we’re completely satisfied that he’s right here.“
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The German supervisor additionally underscored the tactical worth of incorporating a world-class holding midfielder into his scheme. “He’s a incredible participant, a pacesetter, and his persona is admittedly nice,” Flick acknowledged, hoping to combine the veteran into the squad for Thursday’s conflict towards Athletic Bilbao on August 27.
La Liga debut following the World Cup
With the 2026 World Cup extending deep into July, La Liga adjusted its opening-month calendar to permit worldwide stars enough restoration time. In Barcelona‘s case, key figures like Jules Kounde, Joao Cancelo, Pedri, Dani Olmo, and Anthony Gordon, who featured within the event’s remaining weekend, will start Sunday’s match on the substitute bench.
Concerning his rotation technique for World Cup veterans, Flick emphasised endurance: “It’s regular that the gamers who performed within the World Cup don’t play the complete 90 minutes, although they might must play a couple of minutes. You need to handle the minutes, and it isn’t straightforward. There are not any legitimate excuses. We now have to start out by profitable the primary match. It gained’t be straightforward as a result of Elche controls the ball and strikes it shortly. It gained’t be straightforward. We now have super high quality and we wish the three factors.“
