Barcelona boosted by Rodri return before Athletic Club meeting

Barcelona have moved closer to fielding Rodri after the Spain midfielder completed his first full training session with the squad on Monday, although uncertainty remains over the fitness of Gavi after he suffered a knee problem against Elche.

Rodri’s involvement in the more demanding group session represents his first formal step towards making his Barcelona debut. His return could put him in contention for the club’s next La Liga match against Athletic Club.

Players who featured for longer periods in the opening-day game against Elche followed the usual post-match recovery programme, while Rodri trained alongside the members of the squad undertaking a higher-intensity workout.

The midfielder arrived in Barcelona a week ago and was officially presented last Tuesday. His first contact with the team came during the Joan Gamper Trophy, although he was not yet ready to play.

Since then, Rodri has been following an individual conditioning programme designed to rebuild his fitness after his holiday. He was Barcelona’s first signing to be registered with La Liga, but was not included in the squad for the opening fixture against Elche.

His return to full team training offers a significant boost to head coach Hansi Flick as Barcelona prepare for the meeting with Athletic Club. Rodri’s readiness to feature, however, will depend on how he responds to the next stages of his programme and whether Flick considers him sufficiently prepared for competitive action.

Rodri was not the only notable return at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper on Monday. Left-back Alejandro Balde also trained normally with his team-mates after being left out of the squad to face Elche in an unexpected decision.

Flick said after that match that he had spoken to Balde after noticing that something was not right. The manager also completely rejected suggestions that the defender had asked to leave Barcelona.

While Balde returned to training, attention inside the club remained focused on Gavi. The midfielder was forced off against Elche after a heavy challenge to his knee and did not take part in Monday’s recovery session.

Barcelona have said they will publish the results of Gavi’s medical tests only if they confirm that an injury has been diagnosed. Flick has nevertheless offered some reassurance, saying the initial examinations produced more positive indications than had first been feared.

The club must now wait for further information on Gavi while monitoring Rodri’s progress. Monday’s session therefore provided Barcelona with encouraging news over two players, but left the team still awaiting clarity on one of its most important midfielders before the Athletic Club fixture.