Flick doubts Rodri before the clash at the Metropolitano
At the Spotify Camp Nou, Hansi Flick reported that midfielder Rodri finished the match against Aston Villa with muscle soreness and that his condition will be known in the morning, four days before the Champions clash at the Metropolitano.
Rodri suffers muscle soreness
It was Barça's first clean sheet in this edition of the Champions. The team beat Aston Villa 3-0 and the incident occurred four days before the next meeting at the Metropolitano.
Hansi Flick spoke to Movistar after the 3-0 win over Aston Villa at the Spotify Camp Nou and left Rodri's progress pending for the following morning.
Defense and challenges at the Metropolitano
The German coach especially praised the reaction after the defeat in Paris and the work at the back.
Barça had conceded six goals in the first three matchdays of the league phase, four of them against PSG; tonight, none.
Lamine Yamal's goal in the 7th minute and Raphinha's brace in the second half settled the match.
"Yes, yes, of course, it was important. They are a great team, we defended well and we are happy with what we have seen in defense. Everyone gave their all to finish with a clean sheet," Flick explained.
He insisted on the idea of a block: "There was little distance between us, we have been very compact. Also in front of our goal we defended very well. It has been incredible."
Barça arrived at the fixture with the defence in shape, and the day before Christensen was still working in the gym, on his way to join the list of back‑line injuries.
Flick did not hide that Rodri finished hurt, although he did not name the ailment: "Yes, yes, he has felt some muscle soreness and we have to wait until the morning."
The coach did not specify the affected area nor whether the player requested a substitution; Rodri arrived at Barça this summer and debuted against Athletic at the end of August.
Any setback forces a reshuffle of the midfield just before the most demanding match of the league calendar.
Flick already had his mind on Sunday: "Yes, yes, of course. We have four days to recover and we will face the match," he replied regarding the visit to Atlético de Madrid, corresponding to matchday 12 of LaLiga EA Sports.
At the Metropolitano Barça are fighting for the title: a defeat would lift the rojiblancos to 31 points. By then Flick will know whether he can count on Rodri or, in addition to the defensive injuries, add another one in midfield.