Rodri named in Barcelona squad for first Camp Nou game as Gavi is left out

Hans-Dieter Flick has included Rodri Hernandez in a Barcelona squad for the first time for Thursday’s La Liga meeting with Athletic Club at Spotify Camp Nou.

The Spain midfielder is expected to make his Barcelona debut after receiving his first call-up since joining the club. Xavi Espart has also been named in the senior squad and will wear number 12 after his promotion to the first team was confirmed.

Alejandro Balde returns after being omitted from the squad for Barcelona’s match against Elche.

The most notable absentee is Gavi, who suffered a serious injury to his right knee during the opening league match. Barcelona have decided to rest the Andalusian midfielder, who joins Frenkie de Jong and Roony Bardghji on the club’s injury list.

Flick has again included young players Eder Aller, Brian Farinas and Hamza Abd al-Karim in the squad for the game at Spotify Camp Nou.

Barcelona’s squad is:

Goalkeepers: Joan Garcia, Wojciech Szczesny, Eder Aller.

Defenders: Joao Cancelo, Alejandro Balde, Pau Cubarsi, Xavi Espart, Andreas Christensen, Gerard Martin, Jules Kounde, Eric Garcia.

Midfielders: Fermin Lopez, Pedri, Rodri Hernandez, Dani Olmo, Marc Bernal, Brian Farinas.

Forwards: Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, Karim Adeyemi, Gordon, Hamza Abd al-Karim.

The club announced the selection with the message: “The squad for our first game of the season at Spotify Camp Nou!”

Rodri’s inclusion is the main focus of the squad announcement, with the former Manchester City midfielder now in line for his first appearance in Barcelona colours. His potential debut will come in the club’s first match of the season at Spotify Camp Nou.

Gavi’s absence means Barcelona will be without one of their established midfielders as Flick prepares for the Athletic Club fixture. His knee problem has also added to the growing list of unavailable players, alongside de Jong and Bardghji.

The squad combines experienced players such as Cancelo, Christensen, Kounde, Raphinha and Szczesny with a number of younger members of Flick’s first-team group. Balde’s return provides another defensive option, while the continued selection of Aller, Farinas and Abd al-Karim reflects the manager’s willingness to include academy and developing players.

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