Rodri trains with Barcelona squad, eyes Thursday debut vs Athletic

Barcelona's most significant summer addition is finally taking shape on the training pitch. Rodri, who arrived at the club carrying a reduced physical workload after being crowned world champion and undergoing outpatient back surgery, took a major step forward this week by training for the first time under Hansi Flick alongside the rest of the squad, something the German coach himself confirmed during his pre-match press conference ahead of the trip to Elche.

• Rodri trained with the full squad on Monday after a week of individual sessions.
• The midfielder could make his debut Thursday against Athletic Club at Camp Nou.
• That fixture is the postponed matchday 1 clash, delayed due to World Cup players needing rest.
• Gavi was withdrawn injured against Elche and awaits medical tests.
• Elche starters focused on recovery work, with four exceptions.

How Rodri has rejoined full team training

The Spanish international's adaptation to Barcelona's preseason rhythm has been gradual rather than immediate. His participation in the Club World Cup, followed by outpatient back surgery, forced the coaching staff to design a tailored program for him during his first days at the club. Last week, while his new teammates went through collective sessions, Rodri worked alone to progressively build his fitness without taking unnecessary risks.

That cautious approach has now given way to a new phase. On Monday, the midfielder trained fully integrated with the rest of the squad, sharing the session with players who saw limited minutes against Elche and those who didn't feature at all. It's a clear sign that his physical buildup is progressing on schedule and that the club is confident he could be available very soon.

Why Thursday's game against Athletic could mark his debut

Everything points toward Rodri's Barcelona debut arriving on Thursday, in the match against Athletic Club at Spotify Camp Nou. This isn't just any fixture on the calendar: it's the rescheduled matchday 1 clash, originally postponed because several players from both squads were returning from the Club World Cup held in the United States, Canada and Mexico and lacked the physical readiness to compete on the original date.

That postponement, initially designed to protect returning internationals, now also works in Rodri's favor, giving him extra days to complete his adaptation before his official debut. Should he make the matchday squad, it would be his first competitive appearance for the Catalan club since his transfer was confirmed, one of the most significant moves in European football this summer.

The Elche starting eleven focuses on recovery

While Rodri followed his own reintegration timeline, most of the players who started at the Martínez Valero underwent recovery work following their competitive effort. The exceptions were four names: Raphinha, Fermín, Adeyemi and Pedri, who did step onto the Tito Vilanova pitch at the Ciutat Esportiva, though with a different training load compared to the rest of their resting teammates.

Concern grows over Gavi's knee knock

Monday's session was also notable for the absence of Gavi, another Elche starter. The Andalusian midfielder had to leave the pitch in the second half, replaced by Pedri, after taking a blow to his right knee during a pressing action against Elche's defense. Hansi Flick downplayed the severity of the issue after the final whistle, but the club isn't taking any chances.

As a precaution, Gavi will undergo medical tests at the Ciutat Esportiva to determine the real extent of the discomfort. The club is expected to issue an official statement confirming whether the player has suffered any kind of injury or whether it was simply a knock with no lasting consequences, information that will prove crucial for planning the upcoming fixtures.