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Rodri Faces Doubt for Atletico Madrid Clash After Hamstring Injury Against Aston Villa

Barcelona midfielder Rodri could miss the upcoming La Liga showdown with Atletico Madrid after picking up a hamstring injury in the 3-0 Champions League win over Aston Villa. The 30-year-old was substituted out late in the first half due to discomfort in his right hamstring, leaving manager Hansi Flick uncertain about his availability.

Early Exit from Champions League Victory

During the match at Camp Nou, Rodri signaled pain which led the medical team to replace him at halftime to avoid worsening the injury. Academy product Marc Bernal took over alongside Pedri, contributing to a solid defensive display that secured Barcelona’s first clean sheet in Europe in 18 games.

Awaiting Medical Evaluation

Flick described Rodri's substitution as a precaution. He explained after the game, "He had some discomfort. We have to wait until Thursday for the tests." Initial scans are set for Wednesday during recovery sessions, and the results will determine if Rodri can play against his former club this weekend.

Concerns Over Player Fatigue

The injury adds to worries about Rodri's heavy playing time since moving from Manchester City. He has played 945 minutes across 14 matches this season, often relied upon heavily by Flick. This was clear in the recent 6-1 league win over Alaves, where Rodri stayed on the pitch for the full 90 minutes despite others resting.

Despite the scare, Barcelona have bounced back from defeats to Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid, sitting second in their Champions League group with nine points, three behind PSG.

Implications for Upcoming La Liga Clash

Barcelona travel to Madrid to face Atletico on Sunday. If Rodri is sidelined, Bernal stands as the natural replacement at midfield. Still, replicating Rodri’s experience and positional sense in such an important match will be difficult.

  • Player: Rodri
  • Injury: Right hamstring discomfort
  • Match affected: Barcelona vs Atletico Madrid
  • Injury occurred: During Champions League 3-0 win over Aston Villa
  • Substitution: Late first half
  • Medical tests scheduled: Wednesday
  • Minutes played this season: 945 across 14 appearances
  • Next match date: Sunday

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