Rodi’s injury has forced Barcelona manager Hansi Flick to rethink his midfield plans, with Frenkie de Jong pushing to return to the starting line-up before Sunday’s La Liga meeting with Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano.
Rodi had played 945 minutes under Flick this season, more than any other Barcelona midfielder, ahead of Fermin and Pedri. His absence is expected to open the way for Marc Bernal to operate as the natural holding midfielder, although De Jong is also competing for the role.
The Netherlands international returned less than two weeks ago in the match against Real Madrid after missing three months with a knee injury. Tensions from the summer appear to have eased after De Jong opted for conservative treatment, while Flick removed him as first captain and handed the role to Raphinha, with Pedri appointed second captain.
De Jong remains highly regarded by Flick and is keen to reclaim his place in the starting side. However, the manager has not yet selected him as the team’s deepest midfielder since his return.
According to Catalan newspaper Sport, De Jong played 82 minutes at centre-back against Alaves and 36 minutes as an advanced midfielder against Real Madrid and Aston Villa. The newspaper described the situation as having “put his manager in a difficult position”.
After Barcelona’s 3-0 victory over Aston Villa, a match in which De Jong made his 300th appearance for the club, the midfielder said he was ready to start against Atletico Madrid.
“There is nothing bothering me. I feel good and motivated to start the match against Atletico,” he said.
Flick urges patience over De Jong
De Jong’s confidence contrasts with Flick’s more cautious assessment of his recovery. The German praised the midfielder’s quality but said he still needed time to reach full fitness following his injury.
“Frenkie is not 100% ready, but he is at a good level. That is normal after an injury,” Flick said. “Step by step, he is an excellent player.”
Flick must now decide whether to use Bernal as the direct replacement for Rodi in the holding role or accelerate De Jong’s return to full readiness and restore him to the starting line-up.
The decision comes before an important fixture against Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano on Sunday, 08 November 2026, in La Liga.
