Rodri’s Barcelona return gives Flick a midfield decision before Valencia and Feyenoord tests

Rodri is close to making his first start for Barcelona after completing an individual rehabilitation and fitness programme, leaving manager Hansi Flick to decide when the Spain midfielder should return to the starting line-up.

The 29-year-old joined Barcelona late and therefore missed the full pre-season programme with his new team. He also required additional time to adjust after an intensive World Cup campaign with Spain, during which he played a major role in helping his country win the tournament.

Rodri followed a tailored programme until Barcelona’s match against Rayo Vallecano. Since the beginning of this week, he has been training normally with the rest of the squad, prompting Flick and his coaching staff to assess the most appropriate moment for his first start.

According to Sport, Flick is considering two possibilities. Rodri could be named in the starting XI for Barcelona’s meeting with Valencia at Mestalla on Sunday, or the manager could wait and use him from the beginning against Feyenoord in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Barcelona are managing Rodri’s minutes and training workload carefully. The club’s priority is to build him towards his best physical condition over a long and demanding season, while avoiding excessive strain at the start of his campaign.

Rodri has played 27 minutes against Athletic Club and a further 26 minutes against Rayo Vallecano. During both appearances, he brought greater calm and control to Barcelona’s midfield, particularly when the team’s performance began to become too hurried.

Barcelona have another midfield option

Marc Bernal has produced impressive performances during Rodri’s absence. He has not merely filled the gap but has performed strongly enough to ensure Barcelona do not need to rush their new midfielder back into a full role.

Bernal’s form gives Flick the opportunity to rotate the two players. However, expectations are that Rodri will become the preferred option in major matches once he reaches full fitness.

He is expected to play an important part against Valencia, whether he starts or is introduced in the second half. His chances of beginning the Champions League meeting with Feyenoord on Wednesday, 9 September, at Spotify Camp Nou appear considerably greater.

A separate report has also indicated that Barcelona are moving quickly to renew Hamza Abdelkarim’s contract, with the club keen to avoid a repeat of a previous setback.

Barcelona face a demanding run of fixtures before the next international break. They play Feyenoord on Wednesday, travel to face Levante at Ciutat de Valencia on Sunday, 13 September, and then host Racing on Wednesday, 16 September. Their final La Liga match of the sequence is against Sevilla at Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan on Saturday, 19 September.

That schedule is likely to make careful workload management essential, particularly for Rodri as Barcelona continue to prepare him for a full return.

Spain also need to manage Rodri carefully

The midfielder’s workload will not be limited to club football. He is expected to join up with Spain during the next international break after becoming captain of “La Roja” following the country’s World Cup triumph.

Spain’s schedule includes four Nations League matches during the two-week international window. One of those fixtures is against England at Wembley on 27 September, in what will be the Spanish team’s first appearance after the second star was added to their shirt.

Spain will also face the Czech Republic and Croatia, with two meetings against Croatia scheduled during the break.

Although Rodri remains an important player for the national side, Spain manager Luis de la Fuente is consistently reluctant to take risks with the physical condition of his players. That approach should give him flexibility over how many minutes the Barcelona midfielder plays.

De la Fuente has a trusted alternative in Martin Zubimendi. The midfielder has recently lost his starting place at Arsenal, but that has not affected the Spain manager’s confidence in him. That faith was demonstrated in the World Cup final, when Zubimendi replaced a tired Rodri during extra time and made a significant contribution.

Both Barcelona and Spain therefore have options capable of giving Rodri periods of rest. Bernal is available to Flick at club level, while Zubimendi can deputise for Spain, with other players such as Gavi also able to operate in front of the defence.

Rodri has already established himself as one of Barcelona’s leading figures. In a short time, he has earned the respect of his team-mates through his commitment on and off the pitch. Younger players regard him as a role model, while the more experienced members of the dressing room see him as one of the squad’s key points of reference.