Barcelona Prepare for Rayo Vallecano Clash as Rodri Returns
Barcelona were back at full tilt on Saturday morning, sharpening up for Monday night’s league clash with Rayo Vallecano at the Spotify Camp Nou. One key figure, though, stayed slightly apart from the main act.
Rodri, fresh from a summer that ended with him lifting the World Cup with Spain, followed his own plan. As reported by Spanish newspaper Sport, he worked in the gym and trained away from the main group, sticking to the individual programme the club has drawn up for him.
He has already offered a glimpse of what he can bring. Rodri’s debut against Athletic Bilbao left a strong impression inside the club, a performance that underlined why Barcelona see him as central to Hansi Flick’s project. But since his arrival, he has only dipped into a handful of collective sessions, with the medical and physiotherapy staff carefully managing every step.
This is not a case of alarm. Quite the opposite. Within the club there is complete calm over his physical condition. Rodri is fit to feature and considered ready to play an important role this season. The only issue is rhythm. He returned from his holidays just a few days ago after a draining, triumphant summer, and Barcelona are determined not to burn him out in late August.
The plan is clear: no rush, no risks. Rodri is expected to be available for Flick against Rayo Vallecano, but a place in the starting XI looks unlikely at this stage. His return to full match load will be phased in, step by step.
Training Session
Saturday’s session began at 9:30 a.m. on the Tito Vilanova pitch at the Joan Gamper training complex, with Flick able to call on every available first-team player. Among them was Dominik Livaković, Barcelona’s latest signing, taking part in his second training session as a Barça player and settling into his new surroundings.
Not everyone was out there. Gavi missed the workout, as did long-term injury absentees Frenkie de Jong and Roony Bardghji, who continue their respective recoveries.
Barcelona now move towards Monday with a near-complete squad, a new goalkeeper bedding in, and a World Cup-winning midfielder being eased back into the storm. How long before Rodri goes from managed minutes to undisputed pillar in Flick’s Barcelona?
