Barcelona confirms Rodri hamstring injury

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Rodri was replaced at half-time by Marc Bernal during Barcelona's 3-0 win over Aston Villa in the Champions League. 

Hansi Flick said after the victory at Camp Nou that Rodri had felt some muscular pain and asked to be replaced. Further tests were carried out on Thursday. 

Those tsts revealed Rodri had sustained an issue in his hamstring, with reports suggesting the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner could be sidelined for up to a month. 

It means Rodri will be unavailable for Monday's trip to the Metropolitano to face second-place Atletico Madrid, a club he represented 47 times in all competitions before joining Manchester City in 2019. 

"Rodrigo Hernandez has undergone medical tests following the muscle discomfort he experienced during yesterday's match against Aston Villa," Barcelona's statement read. 

"The tests have confirmed a minor injury to his right hamstring.

"He will miss next Sunday's match against Atletico Madrid. His exact recovery time will depend on how the injury develops."

Rodri, who is also set to miss Spain's upcoming Nations League games, has made 14 appearances across all competitions this season after his move to Barca from Manchester City, with 11 of those being starts.

In that time, no Barcelona player has registered more successful passes, touches or successful tackles than Rodri. 

Barcelona has won its last four away LaLiga games against Atletico and could become the third team in the competition's history to achieve five consecutive victories at the Rojiblancos' home ground, after Athletic Club in 1955 and Real Madrid in 2013.

Barcelona is two points clear of Diego Simeone's side in LaLiga, but Atleti has won its last seven top-flight matches.

Since the 2021-2022 season, it has only managed a longer winning run in the competition on one occasion, winning eight consecutive games in January 2025.