Rodri joins full Barça training as Balde works apart amid exit talks

Barcelona wasted no time getting back to work after a resounding 5-0 win over Elche. On Monday morning, Hansi Flick's squad returned to the Ciutat Esportiva to begin preparations for Thursday's LaLiga clash against Athletic Club at the Spotify Camp Nou, and the session brought two storylines worth watching beyond fitness routines: Rodri's first full training session with the group, and Alejandro Balde once again working apart from the regulars.

• Rodri took part in a complete training session with the squad for the first time since arriving at the club.
• Balde continued training separately from the main group as speculation grows over a possible exit.
• Flick split the squad into different workloads depending on minutes played against Elche.
• Gavi skipped training due to knee discomfort, though tests ruled out anything serious.
• Barcelona return to action on Thursday for their first home league match at the renovated Spotify Camp Nou.

How Flick managed workloads after the Elche rout

The 5-0 victory at the Martínez Valero allowed the German coach to plan Monday's session around recovery. Players who logged heavy minutes, including Raphinha, Karim Adeyemi, Pedri and Fermín López, focused on light regenerative work at the Tito Vilanova pitch instead of intense drills. This kind of load management is standard practice for elite clubs navigating a congested schedule, helping to prevent muscle fatigue and injuries between fixtures.

Rodri completes his first full session with new teammates

The player, who joined the Catalan club last week, used Monday's session to train at full intensity with his new teammates for the first time. Having not featured against Elche, he arrived without any physical fatigue, allowing him to match the demanding pace set by the coaching staff alongside other squad members who also saw limited action in the last match.

What's next for Alejandro Balde at Barcelona

The Catalan full-back was a notable absence from the squad list for the Elche match, a decision made purely on football grounds by the coaching staff. Flick reportedly feels Balde hasn't shown the focus or performance level required for a starting role, and the club is said to be considering options for his departure. He was again grouped with the more active training cohort on Monday, separate from those who rested after playing in Elche.

Gavi's medical update after knee discomfort

The midfielder finished the Elche match complaining of knee discomfort and underwent precautionary medical tests afterward. Results ruled out any serious damage to the joint, with the diagnosis coming back as a simple bruise. As a precaution, he sat out Monday's session, though there's no cause for concern regarding upcoming fixtures.

What's at stake for Barcelona against Athletic Club

Barcelona face a significant Thursday fixture, marking their first home league match at the rebuilt Spotify Camp Nou, kicking off at 21:30 against an always-tricky Athletic Club side. Beyond the three points on offer, the occasion carries symbolic weight for the Catalan faithful, who get to enjoy their revamped home ground again in a league campaign where maintaining momentum after every match remains essential.