Why Rodri Isn’t Playing for Barcelona vs. PSG—Champions League

Rodri has logged heavy minutes for Barcelona this season. | Alex Caparros/Getty ImagesWhen Barcelona take on defending Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, there will be no Rodri commanding the midfield from the opening whistle.

When Barcelona take on defending Champions League winners Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, there will be no Rodri commanding the midfield from the opening whistle.

The Catalans arrived in France’s capital eager to extend their perfect start to 2026–27. Barcelona have won all 11 of their games this season, yet to put a foot wrong in La Liga or the Champions League.

The Catalans arrived in France’s capital eager to extend their perfect start to 2026–27. Barcelona have won all 11 of their games this season, yet to put a foot wrong in La Liga or the Champions League.

Facing off with PSG is an entirely different beast, though. Luis Enrique’s men are all but unstoppable on Europe’s biggest stage, buoyed each matchday by well-rested superstars who enjoy Ligue 1 clashes from the bench.

Facing off with PSG is an entirely different beast, though. Luis Enrique’s men are all but unstoppable on Europe’s biggest stage, buoyed each matchday by well-rested superstars who enjoy Ligue 1 clashes from the bench.

Barcelona don’t have such luxuries, especially with El Clásico just a few days away. Hansi Flick is forced to manage the minutes of his players amid a tough run of fixtures, which means Rodri is on the bench for the marquee clash at the Parc des Princes.

Barcelona don’t have such luxuries, especially with El Clásico just a few days away. Hansi Flick is forced to manage the minutes of his players amid a tough run of fixtures, which means Rodri is on the bench for the marquee clash at the Parc des Princes.

Starting XI (4-2-3-1): García; Cancelo, Cubarsí, Martín, Espart; Bernal, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Gordon; Raphinha.

Starting XI (4-2-3-1): García; Cancelo, Cubarsí, Martín, Espart; Bernal, Pedri; Yamal, Olmo, Gordon; Raphinha.

Substitutes: Dominik Livaković (GK), Wojciech Szczęsny (GK), Alejandro Balde, Álex Campos, Brian Fariñas, Fermín Lopez, Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, Karim Adeyemi, Rodri, Gabriel Jesus, Hamza Abdelkarim.

Substitutes: Dominik Livaković (GK), Wojciech Szczęsny (GK), Alejandro Balde, Álex Campos, Brian Fariñas, Fermín Lopez, Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, Karim Adeyemi, Rodri, Gabriel Jesus, Hamza Abdelkarim.

Rodri is on the bench against PSG. | Judit Cartiel/Getty ImagesFlick was no doubt keeping one eye on Sunday’s Clásico when rolling out his XI against PSG. Rodri, who has battled injury after injury over the last two years, has already logged heavy minutes this season in an unrelenting schedule for club and country.

Flick was no doubt keeping one eye on Sunday’s Clásico when rolling out his XI against PSG. Rodri, who has battled injury after injury over the last two years, has already logged heavy minutes this season in an unrelenting schedule for club and country.

At age 30, the midfielder needs to manage his workload. It’s likely he would have sat out of whatever game Barcelona played midweek ahead of Real Madrid’s arrival this weekend—it just so happens to be a date with the back-to-back Champions League winners.

At age 30, the midfielder needs to manage his workload. It’s likely he would have sat out of whatever game Barcelona played midweek ahead of Real Madrid’s arrival this weekend—it just so happens to be a date with the back-to-back Champions League winners.

The decision also comes after reports of Rodri dealing with minor muscular fatigue. The issue does not appear a major cause for concern; after all, the Spaniard just logged 90 minutes at the weekend and even got on the scoresheet in the team’s 5–2 rout over Real Betis.

The decision also comes after reports of Rodri dealing with minor muscular fatigue. The issue does not appear a major cause for concern; after all, the Spaniard just logged 90 minutes at the weekend and even got on the scoresheet in the team’s 5–2 rout over Real Betis.

But Flick is clearly taking no risks with a potentially league-defining Clásico coming at the weekend. If Barcelona take all three points against their bitter rivals, they will be nine points clear of Real Madrid atop the table and in firm control of the title race.

But Flick is clearly taking no risks with a potentially league-defining Clásico coming at the weekend. If Barcelona take all three points against their bitter rivals, they will be nine points clear of Real Madrid atop the table and in firm control of the title race.

Even if the defending Spanish champions stumble against PSG without Rodri, they will still have overwhelming odds to qualify for the Champions League knockout rounds.

Even if the defending Spanish champions stumble against PSG without Rodri, they will still have overwhelming odds to qualify for the Champions League knockout rounds.

Published 3 minutes ago | Modified 3 minutes agoAMANDA LANGELLAmanda Langell is a writer and editor for SI FC. Born and raised in New York City, her first loves were the Yankees, the Rangers and Broadway before Real Madrid took over her life. Had it not been for her brother’s obsession with Cristiano Ronaldo, she would have never lived through so many magical Champions League nights 3,600 miles away from the Bernabéu. When she’s not consumed by Spanish and European soccer, she’s traveling, reading or losing her voice at a concert.