Barcelona hopeful Rodri can return in time for Atletico Madrid clash

Barcelona are optimistic Rodri will recover from injury in time to face Atletico Madrid on 2 December, with the midfielder potentially returning earlier than initially expected.

The Spain international suffered a right hamstring injury during Barcelona’s UEFA Champions League match against Aston Villa on 3 November.

Although Barcelona have not confirmed an official recovery period, the initial assessment within the club was that Rodri could be sidelined for between four and five weeks.

Spanish newspaper AS reports that the midfielder is progressing “very well” through his rehabilitation programme, raising the possibility that he could resume playing before the original timetable.

Rodri had been expected to make his comeback on 8 December, when Barcelona are due to host his former club Manchester City at Camp Nou in the sixth round of the UEFA Champions League.

However, his positive recovery has led the medical staff to target the Atletico Madrid fixture on 2 December instead. That match has been brought forward because of the teams’ commitments in the Spanish Super Cup.

Barcelona’s plan is for Rodri to receive medical clearance several days before the Atletico game, potentially before the meeting with Deportivo on 29 November. That would allow him to play a limited number of minutes and regain match sharpness.

If his rehabilitation continues at its current rate, Rodri could even be considered for a place in the starting line-up against Atletico Madrid.

The club are also hopeful that Dani Olmo will be fit to play against Villarreal in Barcelona’s first match after the international break.

Olmo sustained a left adductor injury in the match against Paris Saint-Germain on 20 October. His recovery is expected to follow the original estimate of approximately one month.