La Liga: New arrival Rodri to miss Elche opener, says Barca’s coach

FC Barcelona’s new signing Rodri will sit out their La Liga opener against Elche on Sunday, according to head coach Hansi Flick. The Spanish world cup-winning midfielder, who joined the Catalan giants in a deal worth up to 76.5 million euros, is expected to join the squad on Monday ahead of the match. Flick confirmed that Rodri’s participation in the game remains uncertain, though there is hope he might feature in the following fixture against Athletic Bilbao on Thursday. Rodri, who previously played for Manchester City, had been presented as a key addition to Barcelona’s midfield during a ceremony on August 18, 2026. His arrival comes amid a period of transition for the club, following the departures of forwards Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres. Despite these exits, Barcelona continues its search for a new striker, with no official announcement yet regarding a replacement. Flick, however, highlighted the promising performances of young forward Hamza Abdelkarim, the 18-year-old Egyptian who scored four goals during pre-season friendly matches. “I’m very pleased with Hamza’s progress,” Flick remarked. “He’s a number nine, he’s young, and he has a lot of potential. Scoring goals is crucial in this role, and he did a great job.” While Abdelkarim is considered a potential starter, Flick did not confirm whether he would lead the attack against Elche. Instead, he emphasized the versatility of other attacking options, including wingers Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi, who can operate as false nines alongside Raphinha and Dani Olmo. In addition to Rodri, Barcelona has also brought in full-back Joao Cancelo, who arrived earlier this week. Flick stated that Cancelo is fully prepared for the upcoming match and praised his technical ability and passion for the game. “He’s ready to play. He has unbelievable technique and a lot of passion,” the coach said. This adds further depth to Barcelona’s backline, which has seen several changes throughout the summer. The match against Elche takes place at the Martinez Valero Stadium, a venue familiar to many local teams. It marks the beginning of the 2026/27 La Liga season for Barcelona, a campaign they aim to build upon their recent successes. The club’s pre-season preparations have included a series of friendly games, allowing players to adapt to the new system under Flick. The coach has expressed confidence in the squad’s readiness, particularly highlighting the contributions of younger players such as Abdelkarim and the continued development of existing stars. As the opening day of the season approaches, attention will remain focused on how quickly Rodri can integrate into the team. His presence in the midfield is anticipated to provide stability and leadership, qualities that Flick has already acknowledged. Meanwhile, the competition for starting positions continues, with multiple players vying for roles in different areas of the pitch. With several new signings and returning players, Barcelona faces the challenge of balancing experience with youth, all while aiming for consistent performance in one of Europe’s toughest leagues.