Barcelona hopeful of early Rodri comeback as Olmo targets Villarreal return

Barcelona are hopeful Rodri can return earlier than expected after making strong progress in his recovery, while Dani Olmo is also expected to be available when the team face Villarreal after the current international break.

The club’s calculations for the next stage of the season have been shaped not only by results but by when key players can return to Hansei Flick’s squad. Injuries have placed particular pressure on the manager’s midfield options at a demanding point in the campaign.

According to Spanish newspaper AS, Rodri’s rehabilitation is progressing better than anticipated. His positive response to the programme has led Barcelona’s medical staff to reconsider his initial return date, with the possibility that his absence could be shortened by several days.

The Spain international suffered an injury to the biceps femoris muscle in his right thigh during Barcelona’s Champions League match against Aston Villa on 3 November. The club’s medical announcement did not specify how long he would be out, but initial reports from inside Barcelona suggested a lay-off of between four and five weeks.

Those estimates had led to suggestions that Rodri might return on 8 December, when Barcelona are due to face his former club Manchester City at Spotify Camp Nou in the sixth round of the Champions League league phase. His recovery has now altered that timetable in a more positive direction.

Rodri could return against Atletico Madrid

AS reports that the new target date for Rodri’s return is 2 December, when Barcelona host Atletico Madrid in an advance La Liga fixture. The match has been brought forward because of both clubs’ involvement in the Spanish Super Cup.

Barcelona have not ruled out Rodri receiving medical clearance several days before that fixture. He could potentially be included in the squad to face Deportivo on 29 November, allowing him to play a limited number of minutes and gradually regain match sharpness before the more demanding test against Atletico Madrid.

If his recovery continues at its current rate and there is no setback, there is a possibility that Rodri could even be fit enough to start against the Rojiblancos.

Olmo expected back against Villarreal

Confidence is also growing at Barcelona over Olmo’s recovery. The midfielder is expected to be ready to return against Villarreal in the team’s first match after the current international break.

Olmo injured his left adductor muscle during the match against Paris Saint-Germain on 20 October. The projected return would come after an absence of one month, matching the initial estimate for his recovery.

Flick could therefore regain all of his midfield options in the coming days. Olmo is expected to be available when competitive football resumes, while Rodri’s revised timetable would see him miss only the La Liga meeting with Villarreal and the Champions League fixture against Azerbaijani side Sabah before becoming a candidate to return against Atletico Madrid.