Hansi Flick is set to hand summer signing Rodri his Barcelona debut against Athletic Club on Sunday, with the midfielder likely to feature from the substitutes’ bench. The German coach confirmed the Spain international will get his first minutes for the club following his recent arrival, as the Catalans prepare for a demanding La Liga encounter at San Mamés.
The introduction of Rodri comes amid a necessary midfield reshuffle forced by Gavi’s untimely absence. The 19-year-old will miss the trip to Bilbao after sustaining a knee bruise during last weekend’s victory over Elche, where he was withdrawn at half-time and replaced by Pedri. Flick indicated that Gavi is recovering well—feeling “much better than he had immediately after the match” according to Barcawelt—but faces approximately one week on the sidelines before returning to contention.
With Gavi unavailable, Pedri is expected to step into the starting lineup against the Basque side. Flick has outlined a long-term vision that pairs Rodri alongside the Canary Islander in a double pivot, believing the combination will strengthen Barcelona’s ability to control possession and dictate the tempo against opponents. The coach has particularly highlighted Rodri’s experience and leadership qualities as valuable assets for the midfield department, and expressed enthusiasm about seeing the two Spain internationals combine for the club.
Rodri, who did not feature in the season opener against Elche, is anticipated to make a brief appearance off the bench rather than starting immediately. This measured approach allows the new recruit to acclimatise to Flick’s demanding system gradually. Should the German tactician require further alternatives in the engine room, Marc Bernal remains available for selection, while Eric García and Xavi Espart have also been included in the travelling squad for the tricky away fixture.
The visit to Athletic Club presents an early examination of Barcelona’s squad depth as they navigate the competitive opening weeks of the La Liga campaign. Flick must balance the careful integration of fresh faces with maintaining positive momentum, whilst managing Gavi’s recovery sensitively. The initial prognosis suggests the energetic midfielder could resume training within days rather than weeks, offering hope of a swift return to the matchday squad for upcoming fixtures.