Barcelona receive double injury boost as Rodri and Dani Olmo near returns

Barcelona have been handed renewed hope over their midfield options, with Rodri recovering faster than expected and Dani Olmo also closing in on a return from injury.

According to Spanish newspaper AS, Rodri’s rehabilitation has progressed positively, prompting Barcelona’s medical staff to reconsider his initial recovery timetable. The Spain international could now be back in contention several days earlier than first anticipated.

Rodri injured the biceps femoris muscle in his right thigh during Barcelona’s Champions League meeting with Aston Villa on 3 November. The club did not specify a recovery period in its medical update, but early reports suggested he could be sidelined for between four and five weeks.

Those estimates led to expectations that Rodri might return for Barcelona’s Champions League match against his former club Manchester City at Spotify Camp Nou on 8 December. However, his progress has raised the possibility of an earlier comeback.

Rodri could return against Atletico Madrid

The new date being considered for Rodri’s return is 2 December, when Barcelona are scheduled to host Atletico Madrid in an early 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 game. He could be included in the squad for the meeting with Deportivo on 29 November, allowing him to play a limited number of minutes and gradually regain match sharpness before facing Atletico Madrid.

If his rehabilitation continues at its current rate and there is no setback, the club expects Rodri could even be ready to start against Atletico Madrid.

The midfielder is currently expected to miss Barcelona’s La Liga fixture against Villarreal and their Champions League match against Azerbaijani side Sabah. Under the revised timetable, he could then be available for selection against Atletico Madrid.

Olmo also nearing comeback

Barcelona’s optimism is not limited to Rodri. There is also confidence that Dani Olmo will be fit to face Villarreal in the team’s first match after the current international break.

Olmo suffered an injury to his left adductor muscle during Barcelona’s match against Paris Saint-Germain on 20 October. The projected recovery period was one month, and his possible return against Villarreal would be in line with that original assessment.

The two potential comebacks would give Hansi Flick a chance to recover all of his midfield options within the coming days. Olmo is expected to return when club football resumes, while Rodri’s revised schedule could see him miss only the matches against Villarreal and Sabah before becoming a contender to face Atletico Madrid.