Rodri was forced off at halftime of Barcelona’s 3-0 Champions League victory over Aston Villa on Tuesday, leaving coach Hansi Flick with a fresh injury concern days before the La Liga leaders face Atletico Madrid, meczyki.pl reported.
The Spain international started at Camp Nou but did not return for the second half, with Marc Bernal coming on in his place. Barcelona, the Spanish champions, moved to nine points from four Champions League matchdays with the win.
The two Polish outlets covering the match differ on the exact location of the problem. Meczyki.pl, citing Mundo Deportivo, reported that the 30-year-old midfielder complained of pain in his right hamstring tendon and discussed it with Flick and the medical staff at halftime, with all parties agreeing that continuing made no sense. Stolica Sportu, citing ESPN Moises Llorens, instead reported discomfort in his right calf. Both accounts agree the withdrawal was a medical decision, not a tactical one, and that the severity remains unknown.
Medical tests Wednesday decide Rodri’s availability for Atletico
Rodri is scheduled to undergo examinations on Wednesday, after which it will become clear whether he is available to Flick for Sunday’s match against Atletico Madrid, a game with the La Liga lead at stake, meczyki.pl reported.
Since his transfer to Barcelona, Rodri has played in 14 matches, scoring one goal and recording one assist.
What happens next for Barcelona and Rodri
The immediate checkpoint is Wednesday’s medical testing, which both outlets report will determine whether the substitution against Aston Villa was purely precautionary or the start of a longer absence. Barcelona’s next fixture is the Sunday league match against Atletico Madrid.
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