Rodri injury setback raises fresh concerns for Barcelona

Rodri’s latest injury setback has increased concerns at Barcelona over whether the Spain midfielder can cope with the demands of a crowded fixture schedule.

The former Manchester City player was forced off at half-time during Barcelona’s Champions League match against Aston Villa on Tuesday after feeling discomfort in his right hamstring, according to Mundo Deportivo.

Rodri had started the game, but Barcelona’s coaching staff decided not to take any risks and replaced him before the second half. The incident came only days before a significant fixture against Atletico Madrid, making the timing particularly concerning for the Catalan club.

A report by AS said there was genuine concern inside Barcelona and that Rodri now appeared very unlikely to feature against Atletico Madrid. Further examinations are needed to establish the seriousness of the problem.

“This latest setback comes at a difficult time, just days before an important match against Atletico Madrid,” the report said. “While more tests are still required to determine the extent of the injury, his condition has begun to raise questions in the Catalan press.”

Rodri was one of the headline signings of last summer’s transfer window. He arrived in Catalonia with an exceptional reputation after an outstanding World Cup and a transfer saga in which Barcelona prevailed over their traditional rivals Real Madrid.

The move generated huge expectations around the Spain international, who was expected to become the new leader of Barcelona’s midfield. However, only a few months after his arrival, the initial excitement has gradually given way to concern.

There is no question about Rodri’s technical ability, but he has struggled to maintain his level through successive matches and has suffered a series of physical problems. Since joining Barcelona, he has been unable to produce the consistency the club had hoped for, with injuries repeatedly interrupting his progress just as he appeared ready to establish himself.

His recurring fitness issues are now prompting questions in Spain about whether he can withstand the pressure of a congested schedule and regain the condition required to secure a regular starting place. Since the beginning of the season, manager Hansi Flick has tried to manage Rodri’s minutes and protect him as much as possible.

Even so, Foot Mercato reported that the midfielder continues to appear vulnerable.

“Every new physical setback is now causing concern, to the point of questioning his long-term continuity,” it said. “This situation represents a genuine dilemma for his manager. Between the need to protect Rodri and the need to rely on him in decisive matches, Barcelona’s coaching staff must continually adjust the way they handle the Spain midfielder, as happened against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League, for example.”

The report added that the circumstances made it difficult for Rodri to find the rhythm needed to recover his best form. Barcelona hope this latest problem will not lead to a lengthy absence, but the issue now extends beyond the possibility of missing the Atletico Madrid match.

After arriving as one of the club’s biggest stars, Rodri must prove he can regain the fitness needed to meet the substantial expectations placed upon him. At Barcelona, time is running short.