Rodri takes part in full Barcelona session before Athletic Club opener

Rodri has moved closer to making his first appearance for Barcelona after completing another full training session with the squad ahead of the club’s La Liga opener against Athletic Club at Spotify Camp Nou.

The midfielder took part in the entire group workout on Tuesday, strengthening the possibility that he could make his Barcelona debut when the sides meet on 27 August.

According to Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo, Hans-Dieter Flick’s side completed their second training session of the week at Camp Tito Vilanova. The session followed Barcelona’s emphatic victory over Elche and focused on preparations for their first league fixture at Spotify Camp Nou.

Rodri also completed the full session with his team-mates on Monday. Tuesday’s workout was the first time the World Cup winner had trained alongside the whole squad since joining Barcelona’s preparations, having previously worked within a more limited programme.

All of Barcelona’s first-team players took part in the session, with the exception of the injured Frenkie de Jong. The midfielder did, however, go out on to the pitch to undertake individual exercises and assess his fitness.

The training programme also included several players from Barca Atletic and the youth team. Hamza Abdelkarim, Alvaro Cortes, Xavi Espart, Brian Farinas and Eder Aller joined the session, although all five have already become part of the first-team set-up.

The full-group workout represented a change from the recovery session held after the win over Elche, when the players followed a lighter programme. Barcelona used Tuesday’s session to bring the squad together on the pitch as preparations intensified for their opening league match at home.

Flick’s team will return to training at 09:30 on Wednesday. The Barcelona manager is then scheduled to hold a news conference at 12:00, when he will speak to the media ahead of the club’s first La Liga game at Spotify Camp Nou.

The match against Athletic Club could therefore provide the occasion for Rodri’s first competitive appearance in Barcelona colours. His continued involvement in full training has increased the likelihood of that happening, although the final decision will rest with Flick and his coaching staff after the remaining preparations.