Rodri Missing from Barcelona's Matchday Squad

Barcelona kick off their 2026-27 La Liga title defence on Sunday with an away fixture against newly promoted Elche, but their marquee summer signing Rodri will not be part of the squad. The midfielder, who underwent back surgery after the World Cup, trained separately from the group in the buildup to the match and was not included in Hansi Flick's matchday roster, as reported by Sports Illustrated.

Rodri, who joined Barcelona for $69 million, had said after his unveiling: "I'm ready to play now" and described the operation as "nothing serious; it was an outpatient procedure." Despite that confidence, the club appear to be taking a cautious approach. According to Sports Illustrated, Rodri is targeting a debut in Gameweek 2 against Rayo Vallecano.

NewsX also reports that Rodri is expected to sit out as he continues to recover from a back injury and aims to regain full fitness after missing nearly the entire preseason, projecting him to be match-ready in the coming weeks.

Barcelona's Midfield Options and Team News

In Rodri's absence, Flick has a range of midfield choices. Sports Illustrated lists Gavi, Fermín López, Dani Olmo, Pedri, Marc Bernal, and Brian Fariñas as available options. However, NewsX adds that Pedri, Gavi, and Dani Olmo have not yet reached full match fitness and are expected to begin on the bench. Frenkie de Jong remains unavailable due to a knee injury, with Sports Illustrated noting he could potentially be sidelined until November.

Barcelona's attack will also feature new signings, with Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi poised for their debuts, according to NewsX. The outlet expects a restructured lineup featuring Gordon alongside Raphinha and Lamine Yamal, forming what it calls one of the league's most formidable attacking trios.

Elche's Injury Concerns and Opening Form

Elche, who narrowly avoided relegation last season by finishing 15th, opened their league campaign with a 1-1 draw away against newly promoted Deportivo La Coruña, as reported by NewsX. For Sunday's match, manager Martín Anselmi will be without winger Yago Santiago (knee injury) and forward Adam Boayar (muscle strain), while midfielder Grady Diangana and attacker Abiel Osorio are doubtful, according to the same outlet.

Context from Real Madrid's Opening Win

The match comes after Real Madrid began their season with a 90th-minute strike by Carlos Espí to beat Espanyol, as reported by Sports Illustrated. That result adds context to Barcelona's opener, with the champions seeking an early response.

Notably, Rodri had been a transfer target for Real Madrid before choosing Barcelona. Real Madrid manager José Mourinho commented: "I think Real Madrid are so big that we can't have players who think twice." Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who recovered from a World Cup injury to start against Espanyol, said: "Every player chooses where he wants to be. If he [Rodri] did not want to be with us, then that is a shame for him. In the end, he is a great player, but he made his choice, and that's the end of it."

Match Details and Where to Watch

The match is scheduled for August 24, 2026, at Estadio Martinez Valero Stadium, with kick-off at 9:30 PM local time (1:00 AM IST on August 25, as reported by NewsX). There is no confirmed TV telecast for the match in India, but Indian viewers can stream it live on the FanCode app and website, according to NewsX.

NewsX predicts a 1-3 Barcelona victory, though such forecasts remain speculative.