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.
