BARCELONA, SPAIN - AUGUST 27: Rodri of Barcelona applauds the fans after the LaLiga EA Sports 2026/27 match between FC Barcelona and Athletic Club at Spotify Camp Nou on August 27, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)
Barcelona head coach Hansi Flick has provided an insight into the reasoning behind his decision to leave midfield standout Rodri out of his latest starting XI.
Barcelona are of course primed to return to action in short order. Turning focus back towards matters on the continent, the Blaugrana have made the trip to France, for a showdown with reigning Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain.
The fixture is viewed as something of a litmus test for a Barca outfit who have been nothing short of unstoppable over the early weeks of the new season.
Safe to say, then, that it came as a surprise when word was forthcoming that the aforementioned Rodri had been benched for the Parc des Princes matchup.
Hansi Flick has instead opted to afford a starting berth to youngster Marc Bernal, joining Pedri and Dani Olmo in a midfield three.
𝐋𝐈𝐍𝐄 𝐔𝐏 ⭐️#PSGBarça | @championsleague pic.twitter.com/CseiKbxHg0
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) October 20, 2026
Speaking to the media ahead of kick-off, the subject of Rodri’s absence was therefore put to Barcelona’s headmaster himself. And Flick went on to hint that his big-money summer signing required a rest:
“Rodri benched? We have to take care of the players.”
Conor Laird – GSFN