Flick faces his worst crisis: seven injuries leave Barça without Rodri

German coach Xavi Flick faces an unprecedented crisis at Barça, as midfielder Rodri will miss the clash against Atlético de Madrid and the call‑up for the Spanish national team, raising the number of injured first‑team players to seven.

The recent victory of Barça over Aston Villa in the Champions League, however, brought bad news and concern for the club. Midfielder Rodrigo Hernández left the pitch at halftime due to muscular discomfort that, after medical tests carried out this Wednesday, was confirmed as an injury to the right‑leg biceps femoris. The announcement also mentions Pere Punti and Miquel Aniento.

Therefore, the Barça midfielder is ruled out for Sunday’s match against Atlético de Madrid and will also miss the Spanish national team call‑up. Although the club has not set a concrete recovery timetable, the initial forecasts point to roughly three weeks out for Rodri.

Rodri’s injury is a new setback for Flick, who sees the list of players affected by physical problems continue to grow. With the Spanish international, Barça already has seven footballers in the infirmary.

Details of the absences

Rodri suffered a minor injury to the right‑leg biceps femoris on 3 November against Aston Villa, with an estimated three‑week absence.

Dani Olmo had a left‑adductor injury on 20 October against PSG, with a month out.

Eric García injured the right‑leg anterior thigh muscle (rectus femoris) on 17 October against Betis, with an absence of three to four weeks and soon availability.

Barça back on Champions League podium after beating Aston Villa

Jules Koundé suffered a sprain to the left ankle on 17 October against Betis, with no specific time out and soon availability.

Xavi Espart suffered a syndesmosis injury to the right ankle on 25 October against Real Madrid, with seven weeks out.

Andreas Christensen had a muscle injury to the left quadriceps anterior rectus on 19 September against Sevilla, with an absence of four to six weeks and soon availability.

Roony Bardghji suffered a rupture of the right‑knee anterior cruciate ligament during a pre‑season training, ruling him out for the entire season.

The UN honoured the inclusion project of Anna Vives that links Barça and Lamine Miquel Aniento.

Flick’s options to cover the knockout due to Rodri’s injury include Gabriel Sans.

Barça’s infirmary remains the major headache for the German coach at the start of the year, who hopes the list will shrink in the coming weeks.