AS: Rodri Has Integrated Into Barcelona's System, Flick Hopes He Can Help Bernal Improve

On September 8 Beijing time, according to AS, Rodri has perfectly integrated into Barcelona's current tactical system, and head coach Flick hopes he can help Bernal regain his form.

The Madrid midfielder proved in his first start just how wise Barcelona's decision to sign him was. Some new arrivals need time to demonstrate the meaning and value of their transfer, but Rodri is different. In his first start for Barcelona away against Valencia, even though his physical condition had not yet returned to 100 percent, he still delivered an unquestionable outstanding performance.

The Madrid native still needs several more matches to rediscover his best level, but his statistics in this game were already extremely impressive: he completed 81 of 83 passes, with a success rate of 98%; in the opposition half, he completed 54 of 55 passes; he made five accurate long passes and also contributed six tackles. In addition, he hit the crossbar with a header and came close to scoring. The 5-0 scoreline was a display of Barcelona's overall strength, while their absolute control of midfield was one of the strongest proofs of their comprehensive dominance over Valencia.

Flick's team had absolute control during the match. This was largely thanks to the German coach handing the direction of the game jointly to Rodri and Pedri for the first time this season. Although some outside voices had previously questioned whether the two could coexist, the actual results could not have been better. They not only avoided interfering with each other but also actively looked for combinations on the pitch. Rodri has not been at Barcelona for long, but he has already played with the composure and calmness of someone who has understood the team's style for many years, especially fully grasping Barcelona's traditional way of playing.

He has consistently provided himself as an option on the pitch, ensuring smooth circulation of possession while also protecting the defensive line effectively, and allowing Pedri to make more frequent forward runs with greater freedom. Under his direction, Fermin has also been able to play in a more attacking role. The Madrid-born player’s performance on the pitch was that of a true leader. Flick praised him after the match, saying: “Everything he did, he did very well.” It is understood that Flick hopes Rodri's presence can help the young Bernal make significant progress, and Bernal also received public praise from the coach after the match.

In the current Barcelona side, which plays at a very fast pace with rapid transitions between attack and defense, Rodri is responsible for organizing routes, correcting positions, directing play, and understanding the details of the match almost perfectly.

Rodri knows exactly when to accelerate attacks, when to slow the tempo, when to launch high pressing, and when to drop the defensive shape. In the major matches ahead, his key role will become increasingly important, especially in the Champions League, a top-level competition with higher intensity where even the smallest mistakes are severely punished.

When he first joined Barcelona, it appeared to be a luxury signing that was not absolutely necessary, especially considering the team already had many high-quality midfielders. However, his top-level performance in the match at Mestalla proved that Rodri's value is far greater than it initially appeared. Unlike other midfielders in the squad, he brings a higher competitive level, overall control, and valuable experience in major tournaments. Now, Rodri has officially taken over the role of conductor in Barcelona's midfield.