Report: The reason behind Barcelona superstar being benched against PSG

According to a report by Barca Universal on Tuesday October 20, 2026, Barcelona midfielder Rodri was reportedly left out of the starting lineup against Paris Saint-Germain because he was not fully fit, with manager Hansi Flick unwilling to take unnecessary risks ahead of Sunday’s El Clasico against Real Madrid.

The Spanish international was surprisingly named among the substitutes for Barcelona’s UEFA Champions League clash at Parc des Princes, with Marc Bernal selected to partner Pedri in midfield.

However, the decision did not help Barcelona secure a positive result, as the Catalan giants suffered a disappointing 4-2 defeat against the French champions.

According to ESPN journalist Samuel Marsden, Rodri was not feeling 100% fit ahead of the encounter, prompting Flick to leave him out of the starting XI.

The 30-year-old has established himself as a key figure in Barcelona’s midfield since arriving at the club during the summer transfer window, making his omission a notable talking point before the match.

Rodri had featured in 10 of Barcelona’s first 11 matches across all competitions, starting eight of them and accumulating 690 minutes on the pitch.

He also represented Spain in all four of their UEFA Nations League matches during the international break, starting three games.

His demanding schedule appears to have contributed to the concerns surrounding his physical condition, with Barcelona keen to manage his workload during a busy period of the season.

Although the report did not identify a specific injury, Rodri’s reported lack of full fitness provided a reason for Flick to exercise caution rather than risk aggravating a potential physical problem.

Barcelona’s upcoming meeting with Real Madrid is another important consideration for Flick as he manages his squad.

The two Spanish giants are scheduled to face each other on Sunday, and the Barcelona manager will be hoping to have his key players available for the crucial encounter.

With Rodri having played regularly for both club and country, giving him additional recovery time could prove beneficial ahead of the Clasico.

Nevertheless, Barcelona’s 4-2 defeat to PSG will raise questions about the team’s performance and their ability to cope without one of their most influential midfielders in the starting lineup.

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