Mundo Deportivo: Rodri Returns to Normal Training, Flick Considering Starting Role

According to Mundo Deportivo, Rodri has returned to normal training, and Flick is considering when to start him.

Rodri Hernandez joined Barcelona relatively late and was unable to complete preseason preparations with his teammates. During the World Cup, he pushed himself to exhaustion to help Spain win the title, and therefore needs a period of adaptation.

Rodri had been training according to a specific program, which came to an end after the match against Rayo Vallecano. Since this week, he has returned to normal training, and Flick is considering when to start him. The opportunity could come this Sunday away against Valencia, or it could be delayed until next Wednesday's tough match against Feyenoord.

The coaching staff is carefully arranging Rodri's playing time and training load, with the goal of keeping him in the best condition during a long and demanding season. The Ballon d'Or-winning Barcelona player is managing his workload and hopes to regain full fitness as soon as possible.

Rodri played 27 minutes against Athletic Club and another 26 minutes against Rayo Vallecano. He helped the team maintain control when the match tempo threatened to become too fast, while Marc Bernal not only completed his duties but also delivered a very high-level performance.

Bernal's excellent performances mean Barcelona are not rushing Rodri's return. The team plans to rotate the two players, but in important matches, once Rodri has fully recovered, the former Manchester City player is still expected to become a starter.

Champions League

Against Valencia this Sunday, Rodri will play an important role whether he starts or comes on as a substitute again in the second half. At 00:45 Beijing time on September 10, Barcelona will face Feyenoord at Camp Nou, and Rodri is expected to be in the starting lineup.

Before the international break arrives, Barcelona's schedule is very busy. After facing Feyenoord, Barcelona will play Levante away on September 13, host Racing Santander on September 16, and face Sevilla away on September 19 at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium to finish this stretch of league fixtures. The start of the season is already very challenging, and the team must manage its energy levels properly.

World champion captain

In addition, Rodri will be included in the squad for four Nations League matches. He is Spain's captain and has been called the 'Spanish Messi' by Luis de la Fuente. He will make his debut for the second star at Wembley on September 27 and will take responsibility for organizing the midfield.

Spain will also face the Czech Republic and play Croatia twice during this two-week international window. Rodri will play an important role in these high-intensity matches, but Luis de la Fuente has always prioritized player health and will not force him to play.

On this point, Luis de la Fuente also has Zubimendi as a good alternative. Although the midfielder has lost his starting position at Arsenal, the coach from La Rioja continues to firmly trust the former Real Sociedad player. In the World Cup final, an exhausted Rodri was replaced by Zubimendi in extra time, with the latter becoming the team's engine.

Both Barcelona and Spain are fortunate to have players who can allow the Madrid-born midfielder to get rest. Barcelona have the young Marc Bernal, while Spain have Zubimendi. In addition, players such as Gavi can also adapt to the midfield role in front of the defense.

Rodri came to Barcelona to become a leader. In a short time, he has earned the respect of the dressing room through his commitment, with young players seeing him as a role model and veterans viewing him as a benchmark.