Barcelona Monitors Rodri’s Fitness After Midfielder’s Hamstring Discomfort
Barcelona is currently assessing the fitness of midfielder Rodri following his discomfort in the right hamstring during the recent 3-0 Champions League victory over Aston Villa. According to reports from Mundo Deportivo, the 30-year-old requested a substitution after experiencing pain late in the first half, leading both Hansi Flick and the club’s medical staff to keep him sidelined for the second half.
This situation arises as Barcelona prepares to face Atletico Madrid in LaLiga on Sunday, November 8. Rodri’s participation in this crucial match will depend on the results of his upcoming medical assessment, with the club keen to avoid the risk of exacerbating any potential injury.
In further developments, Rodri reportedly felt discomfort during the final minutes of the first half against Aston Villa. He completed the first 45 minutes before notifying Flick and the medical team about the issue. Following their halftime discussion, all parties agreed it would be unwise for him to continue playing.
Marc Bernal replaced Rodri, stepping into the holding midfield role alongside Pedri, and he delivered a commendable performance that helped maintain Barcelona’s defensive integrity against Aston Villa’s attacks. Rodri is expected to undergo medical tests on Wednesday during the club’s recovery session to determine if he has sustained an injury and assess his availability for the match against Atletico Madrid.
Additionally, this incident has reignited discussions regarding Rodri’s significant playing time under Flick’s management. Since joining Barcelona and completing his registration, he has logged 945 minutes over 14 appearances this season, making him one of the team’s most utilized players.
Despite his critical role, questions about managing his workload emerged after the team’s 6-1 win over Alaves, where Flick substituted both Pedri and Raphinha at halftime while Rodri played the full match. Should Rodri be unable to play against Atletico, it would present a considerable decision for Flick, as the team prepares for an intense showdown against a formidable opponent. While Bernal’s performance offers an alternative in the midfield, replicating Rodri’s experience and positional impact would present a challenge for the Barcelona manager.
