Barcelona Begins LaLiga Title Defence Without Rodri
Barcelona will begin their LaLiga title defence without their marquee midfield signing Rodri, with coach Hansi Flick confirming the Spain international will sit out Sunday’s opener against Elche.
The former Manchester City anchor, brought in to reshape the heart of Barça’s midfield, is being lined up instead for a potential debut in the second league game away to Athletic Bilbao on Thursday.
“He’s very concentrated, focused, our plan is that he will arrive on Monday with the team,” Flick told reporters on Saturday. “This is the plan. He’s a fantastic player, a leader, and his personality is very great.”
Rodri joined the Spanish champions for a fee that could climb to 76.5 million euros, a statement signing aimed at reinforcing a midfield already rich in technical quality but in need of a commanding presence after recent departures.
Striker search continues after Lewandowski and Torres exits
The big hole is now further up the pitch. With Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres both gone, Barcelona head into the new campaign still without a clear first-choice No 9.
The club remain active in the market for a centre forward, but Flick kept his cards close to his chest when asked who would lead the line at the Martinez Valero.
He did, however, shine a light on one surprise contender.
Hamza Abdelkarim, the 18-year-old Egyptian forward, has forced his way into the conversation after a blistering pre-season in which he scored four goals in friendlies.
“Hamza is having a really great pre-season,” Flick said. “He’s a No 9, he’s young, and he has a lot of potential, and also he scored goals. This is the important thing when you’re playing in this position, and he made a great job.”
Those numbers, and that endorsement, put the teenager on the brink of a breakthrough as Barça weigh whether to trust youth or lean on experience in the absence of an established striker.
False nine options stack up
If Flick opts against throwing Hamza straight into a starting role, he is not short of alternatives. New signings Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi, both natural wingers, are capable of drifting inside and operating as false nines.
So are Raphinha and Dani Olmo, giving Barcelona a fluid, interchangeable front line rather than a traditional penalty-box predator. It could be a hint of how Flick wants his attack to evolve: movement, pressing, and goals by committee until a new No 9 arrives.
Cancelo ready for immediate action
At the back, one new face is ready to go from day one. Joao Cancelo, signed this week to strengthen the full-back positions, is available for the trip to Elche and could make his first appearance under Flick immediately.
“He’s ready to play. He has unbelievable technique and a lot of passion,” the coach added.
So Barcelona travel to the Martinez Valero with their new defensive weapon primed, their new midfield general waiting in the wings, and their centre-forward puzzle still unsolved. How long they can juggle that equation at the top of LaLiga will define the early weeks of Flick’s reign.
