Rodri out of Atlético trip with hamstring injury as Simeone chases LaLiga wins record

FC Barcelona will travel to second-placed Atlético Madrid on Sunday without Rodri. The leaders lose a central figure in midfield for a top-two clash away from home.

Barça will face their closest challengers without their midfield anchor. He came off at half-time against Aston Villa. No return date has been set, and the injury’s progress will decide when he is back.

Hansi Flick said after the game that Rodri would be assessed the next day. The coach added that the midfielder was also tired and that the substitution was his own choice.

The night itself went Barça’s way. Lamine Yamal scored early, and Raphinha struck twice after the break to end Villa’s perfect start in the competition. Raphinha, named match MVP, moved to 94 goals for the club, level with Ronaldinho.

No Barça player has made more successful passes, touches or tackles this season. Rodri has scored once in his appearances since arriving. His influence was clear against Alavés in Matchday 11. His through ball set up Gordon’s 81st-minute chip, Gordon’s first league goal for the club, in a 6-1 win.

The margin at the top is thin. Real Madrid’s 2-1 win at Camp Nou on October 25 ended Barça’s run of nine straight league wins to open the season.

Media reports suggest Rodri could be out for up to a month. That would also rule him out of games against Villarreal, Deportivo, Celta, Sabah and Manchester City. Marc Bernal looks the most likely to step in. Club football pauses for an international break after this weekend, which gives the medical staff some time.

Atlético won 2-0 at Levante last time out. They have nine wins, one draw and one loss from 11 games.

The fixture carries extra meaning for Rodri. He came through Atlético’s youth system and returned to the club in 2018 after his time at Villarreal. He played one season under Simeone before Manchester City signed him in 2019.

Barça signed him this summer on a contract that runs to June 30, 2030. The deal was worth an initial €60 million, with up to €16.5 million more in add-ons linked to his achievements at the club.

Kickoff at the Riyadh Air Metropolitano is set for Sunday, November 8, at 21:00 CET in Matchday 12. After the break, Barça host Villarreal at Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday, November 22, at 14:00.

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