BARCELONA, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 03: Rodri of FC Barcelona passes the ball during the UEFA Champions League 2026/27 League Phase MD4 match between FC Barcelona and Aston Villa FC at Camp Nou on November 03, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Pedro Salado/Getty Images)
Gill Clark Gill Clark is the site manager of Barca Blaugranes and joined in 2017. She has worked in sports media as a writer and editor for the best part of two decades and has been in love with the beautiful game for as long as she can remember.
Barcelona manager Hansi Flick took off Rodri at half-time of Tuesday’s Champions League tie with Aston Villa at Camp Nou and replaced the World Cup winner with Marc Bernal.
Rodri didn’t look to have an obvious injury in the first half but it’s been reported he was suffering some discomfort which was why Flick made the change.
Moises Llorens at ESPN posted on X: “Rodri, discomfort in the calf of the right leg.” The substitution therefore looks like a precautionary move, particularly with Barcelona up against Atletico Madrid at the weekend.
Rodri’s game time has been in the spotlight this season, with Flick reluctant to rotate his summer signing despite having a wealth of midfield options at his disposal.
The midfielder has featured in all but one of Barcelona’s matches this season, starting eight La Liga matches and three times in the Champions League. The decision to let Rodri play all 90 minutes of Saturday’s 6-1 win over Alaves also looks unnecessary.
Barcelona will now be hoping that Rodri’s discomfort is just minor and he will be fit for the huge game against Diego Simeone’s side on Sunday.