The victory of Barcelona with 3-0 against Aston Villa in the Champions League match gave another good piece of news for Hansi Flick; however, the celebration turned into gloom due to an injury to one of his key players – Rodri. Rodri felt pain in his right leg during their match against Aston Villa on Tuesday at Spotify Camp Nou and had to leave the pitch in the second half.
After conducting several tests on Wednesday, Barcelona announced that Rodri is facing a minor injury in his right leg, in the form of the biceps femoris muscle. It is reported that Rodri will definitely miss the match against Atlético Madrid in La Liga, which will be played on Sunday. However, there are predictions that Rodri will remain unavailable for a month.
Atlético Madrid presents Barcelona's biggest immediate test
Losing Rodri could hardly come at a worse time. This Sunday's visit to Atlético Madrid is one of the most difficult games for Barcelona to play in the entire month, and for Flick, it's vital that he gets something from his midfield players in this tough game against Simeone's team. The value of Rodri as a player is not just his defensive prowess, but also his ability to dictate play in the middle of the field.
These will be important attributes to have when facing a team that can break up possession and uses the transition game. If he is not available for this game, then Barcelona needs another option.
Barcelona's midfield depth faces another serious examination
The bigger concern is the growing list of fitness problems affecting Flick's squad. Dani Olmo's absence already limits Barcelona's creative options, while Eric García, Jules Koundé and Andreas Christensen have also been dealing with injuries. Although defensive reinforcements could return, the accumulation of setbacks leaves little room for further complications.
With Rodri now joining the injury list, Barcelona's midfield depth faces a particularly important examination. Pedri, Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, Fermín López, and Marc Bernal will prove crucial in Flick’s handling of this situation, but the lack of another proven player means he has less leeway.
Against which Barcelona games can Rodri miss?
If the reported month-long recovery estimate proves accurate, Rodri could miss several important fixtures:
- November 8: Atlético Madrid (Away)
- November 22: Villarreal (Home)
- November 25: Sabah FK (Away)
- November 29: Deportivo La Coruña (Away)
On paper, Barcelona will be expected to navigate much of this schedule successfully. However, the Atlético encounter is a considerably different proposition, and the remaining fixtures will demand consistency across domestic and European competitions. For Barcelona supporters, the immediate priority will be getting through the Metropolitano without another setback.
Rodri's injury might be considered minor medically, but its timing makes it a significant sporting problem. Flick has options, and Barcelona possesses enough quality to remain competitive. Nevertheless, the next few weeks will reveal just how much midfield depth this squad really has.
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