Hansi Flick Confirms Rodri's Barcelona Debut Against Athletic Club Amid Gavi Injury

Rodri, Barcelona's high-profile summer signing from Manchester City, is expected to make his first appearance for the club in their upcoming La Liga match against Athletic Club. Despite training with the team, the midfielder missed Barcelona's opening win over Elche but will finally take the field at Spotify Camp Nou on Thursday.

Gavi Sidelined with Knee Injury

The Spanish youngster Gavi will miss the clash due to a minor knee injury he suffered during the weekend victory. His absence means Barcelona will need to adjust their midfield options for the game.

Flick’s Tactical Plan for Rodri

Coach Hansi Flick shared his strategy for introducing Rodri into the squad slowly, aiming to give him limited minutes initially. Flick highlighted Rodri's leadership and experience compared to other midfielders like Marc Bernal, pointing out how Rodri’s partnership with Pedri will help Barcelona control possession and challenge opponents effectively.

"We also have Marc Bernal in that position. Rodri has more experience; he's the clear leader," Flick said. "Together with Pedri, he'll allow us to control the ball and the opponent. That's very important. We lost possession against Elche. Rodri is one of the best. We'll enjoy having them together."

Regarding Gavi, Flick offered reassurance about his recovery timeline: "He's fine, much better than after the game. We have to wait a week for him to come back."

World Cup Tribute Cancelled Amid Political Tensions

The upcoming match coincides with political tensions following incidents during Barcelona’s recent 5-0 win over Elche. Due to police actions against traveling supporters carrying pro-independence Estelada flags, the club decided to cancel a planned tribute for the eight Spanish World Cup winners.

Club president Joan Laporta condemned the police's response and defended fans’ rights to express themselves. He stated the tribute would not proceed since the atmosphere is not appropriate for such an event.

"We condemn and reject the disproportionate action of the national police officers who assaulted Barca fans for carrying the Estelada before the Elche game," Laporta said. "We hope that appropriate punishment will help ensure that Catalans and Barca fans can carry the flag without fear of physical harm."

Barcelona Aims to Build Momentum

After a strong start in La Liga, Barcelona looks to strengthen their midfield with Rodri’s arrival. The former Manchester City player’s ability to maintain possession should help fix the lapses seen against Elche, especially when facing Athletic Club’s pressing style.

The team has a quick turnaround after this match, with a home game against Rayo Vallecano on Monday. Flick hopes to have Rodri fully involved and Gavi close to returning by then.

• Date & Time: 27 Aug 2026, 21:00
• Fixture: Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao
• Competition: LaLiga