Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has said Rodri will return to the XI for Sunday’s Clasico against Real Madrid. The midfielder was left out at kick-off in Tuesday’s Champions League defeat away to Paris Saint-Germain, which ended Barcelona’s perfect start to the season.
Barcelona lost 4-2 in Paris. Rodri came on after an hour, and the Catalans had twice come back from behind, with Xavi Espart and Lamine Yamal replying to goals from Desire Doue and Lucas Hernandez.
Flick defends his decision to rest Rodri
Flick told reporters that Rodri had played a heavy load of minutes with the national team and in Barcelona’s recent games. He said he spoke with the player that morning and explained the choice, with Marc Bernal starting instead.
Also read: PSG vs Barcelona Champions League: Yamal, Torres and team news
“For me, it was a good solution what we did and hopefully he is fresh on Sunday,” Flick said. He added that the upcoming Clasico, where Barca can move nine points ahead of Madrid in La Liga, had influenced his team selection “a lot”.
Flick praised the quality of the contest but said his side had made too many errors, particularly in possession. He described the match as a useful test that exposed what needed fixing, and he warned against taking the wrong lessons from it.
Late goals and injuries shape the Paris contest
Yamal levelled at 2-2 in the 79th minute, but Vitinha restored the hosts’ lead two minutes later. Fabian Ruiz then sealed the win for the defending European champions.
Barcelona lost Dani Olmo to injury during the match. PSG also suffered setbacks, with Ousmane Dembele and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, two of their main attacking players, both coming off hurt. Dembele had a hamstring injury in the first half, and captain Marquinhos was unable to finish the game.
PSG coach Luis Enrique said he was not a doctor but described the situation bluntly. “I am not the doctor but the three players are injured which is the worst thing to come out of tonight’s game,” he said. “Three injuries to three very important players.”
PSG cautious despite strong league phase start
PSG have won their first three games in this season’s league phase, scoring 14 goals, as they chase a third successive Champions League title. The top eight teams in the league phase qualify directly for the last 16, and PSG are well placed to get there.
Luis Enrique was careful not to get carried away. He pointed out that his side had already faced two of their opponents from Pot A, and that the win followed a 4-2 victory at Manchester City last week. He also noted that PSG had won their first three games last year without finishing in the top eight.
“We will enjoy this but then we will start to think about this weekend’s game against Lyon,” he said.
