FC Barcelona is on the verge of witnessing a significant moment as new signing Rodri is expected to make his starting debut this weekend. The Catalan club will face Valencia in La Liga, or alternatively, Rodri could take the field in the UEFA Champions League match against Feyenoord on Wednesday.
The acquisition of Rodri marked a major success for Barcelona during the summer transfer window. The club managed to secure the services of the Spain national team captain and World Cup winner, who was also awarded the Golden Ball at the tournament, outmaneuvering fierce rivals Real Madrid in the process.
Barcelona's Sporting Director Deco orchestrated a smart deal, with the final transfer fee set at €60 million upfront, alongside an additional €11.5 million in potential add-ons. This strategic move was particularly impressive given that Rodri had less than a year remaining on his contract with Manchester City.
Now officially a member of the Culers, the 30-year-old midfielder has already begun to acclimate to his new surroundings. He has logged valuable playing time in recent matches against Athletic Club and Rayo Vallecano, contributing to victories of 2-0 and 5-2, respectively. However, these appearances were limited to brief cameos off the bench, totaling 27 and 26 minutes.
Rodri's integration into the team has been aided by his connection with fellow Spaniard Pedri, among other teammates. Despite his recent adjustments, Rodri, a former Ballon d'Or winner, is unlikely to remain in a secondary role for long, especially with aspirations of helping Barcelona reclaim the La Liga title.
Barcelona is keen to secure its third consecutive La Liga title, a feat not achieved since the Pep Guardiola era. To do so, they will need to balance their squad effectively, ensuring that key players like Rodri and Pedri are utilized judiciously throughout the season, particularly as they aim for a deep run in the Champions League.
As the team prepares for its upcoming fixtures, Rodri's potential starting debut could come as early as Sunday against Valencia at the Mestalla. This match is crucial for Barcelona, especially with Real Madrid facing Real Betis on Friday, making it essential for Barcelona to keep pace in the title race.
If Rodri does not start against Valencia, fans can expect to see him in action during the Champions League clash against Feyenoord, which kicks off at 18:45. It is anticipated that Rodri will take the place of academy graduate Marc Bernal, forming a partnership with Pedri and either Dani Olmo or Fermin Lopez in a central attacking role.
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