Mundo Deportivo: Rodri has adapted to Barcelona very quickly, covering 11.3 km in a single Champions League match

According to Mundo Deportivo, Rodri needed special arrangements when he first arrived at Barcelona. After the demands of the 2026 World Cup, along with the negotiations he held with the club over his move to Barça, he was unable to complete a normal pre-season preparation. His start was cautious, but it did not take long for him to reach top form.

His statistics in the Champions League match against Feyenoord show this clearly. According to official UEFA data, Rodri covered 11.3 kilometers in 83 minutes. That distance was the same as Koundé, who played the full match, and only slightly less than Cancelo, who covered 11.6 kilometers while also playing all 90 minutes.

The Ballon d'Or-winning Barcelona player and Pedri have become the engine of Barcelona's midfield, despite previous outside doubts. Pedri also covered 8.9 kilometers in just 63 minutes. Had he played the full match, he would also have had a chance to rank among the players with the highest running distances.

Barcelona ran more than Feyenoord

The midfield work of Rodri and Pedri is extremely important for Flick. They are responsible for blocking opponents' passing lanes, stopping transition attacks, and providing quality for the team's smooth build-up play. Barcelona completely controlled the match against Feyenoord, not only in possession and on the pitch, but also in physical output. Barcelona's team covered 120 kilometers, while the Dutch side covered 111.7 kilometers. Feyenoord wanted to play more aggressively, but they were still unable to overcome Barcelona's advantage.

The additions of Olmo or Fermín give Barcelona a highly competitive midfield trio, which could even be considered one of the best in the world. Bernal also delivered the expected performance, proving that he can keep up with his teammates' high level in terms of organization, despite being only 19 years old. Gavi, who regained playing time after recovering from his injury against Elche, remains a true engine of the midfield.

Barcelona can feel completely secure about the center of the pitch and can also be pleased with signing Rodri. His integration has been very smooth. Whether in the dressing room or on the field, he quickly established himself. He first played 27 minutes against Athletic Club, then 26 minutes against Rayo Vallecano, before making his first start against Valencia and playing 62 minutes; against Feyenoord, he played another 82 minutes.

Rodri has shown great efficiency, always understanding the game in the most suitable way. He is driving this Barcelona team with strong control, and once he reaches full fitness, he will be an exceptional player.

The final push before the international break

During this period before the international break, he has already become a key figure in Barcelona's La Liga leadership and their impressive Champions League debut. At present, only Paris Saint-Germain have a better goal difference than Barcelona, with the latter benefiting from their 6-1 victory over the weaker Bratislava side.

Barcelona will next travel to Valencia twice in succession, facing Levante and Sevilla respectively; then they will return home in the midweek round on Wednesday to face Racing Santander at Spotify Camp Nou. Meanwhile, they will also play Sevilla at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium.

After that, the international break will arrive. This time, the UEFA Nations League will schedule matches across two weekends, and it is expected that many Barcelona players will be included in Spain's squad, becoming important members of the world champions' setup.

Rodri is certainly among them. As captain, he will be included in the squad to face England, with the match taking place at Wembley Stadium. This will be the first game of the campaign to defend the second star. They will then face the Czech Republic and play a two-legged tie against Croatia.