According to Sport, Rodri's arrival has raised legitimate questions among Barcelona fans: with the world's best defensive midfielder joining the club, what role can Bernal still play?

Rodri's arrival seemed poised to alter Bernal's trajectory. After Frenkie de Jong's injury, Bernal had the chance to cement his place in the starting lineup during preseason.

At that time, Flick insisted that Bernal should view Rodri as an opportunity, not a problem. He said: "My last point is that Bernal has performed brilliantly. I think this is a good situation for him."

"If he takes advantage of this opportunity in the right way, he will develop greatly and become even better, and that's what we want."

Few realized then that one of Flick's plans was for the two to frequently play together in midfield. The German coach had emphasized from the start of the season that he wanted a more controlled Barcelona. Now, he is testing the impact of having both on the pitch during the closing stages of matches.

Initially, it was assumed that the natural move would be for Rodri to replace Bernal, allowing the former Manchester City player to rest. However, Flick did the opposite, wanting to see the effect of the two playing together. Rodri and Bernal rarely played together early in the league season, but the coach began pairing them in the final stages of matches.

This season, the two have shared the pitch for a total of 48 minutes, all concentrated in their last three appearances together: 20 minutes against Feyenoord, 24 minutes against Levante, and 4 minutes against Sevilla. In their first four appearances, they did not spend a single minute on the pitch together. Flick's gradual adjustments show that he is increasingly experimenting with the two midfielders playing together.

What Flick Wants

This style of play is very similar to when Pedri is on the pitch: Bernal and Rodri will play at different heights. The arrival of the Spanish international also allows Barcelona to play more like a clear 4-3-3 formation. In previous seasons, Frenkie de Jong and Pedri often formed the double pivot, with Pedri tending to drop deep to start attacks.

Rodri, on the other hand, is clearly better suited to the traditional defensive midfielder role. His teammates also understand that they don't need to frequently drop deep to receive the ball: as long as they are in the right position, the World Cup's best player can find them. When playing alongside him, Bernal also plays with more freedom, making more forward runs and influencing the penalty area.

Rodri helps improve the stability of this team. Barcelona is a very fluid team with few players fixed to one position. He told Sport a few weeks ago: "I feel I can bring structure and stability to the team, so others don't need to run so much. I often remind Pedri that he is a player who moves a lot horizontally, but that's not always necessary."

"Often, if you wait for the ball a bit longer, you won't expend as much energy, and you can still maintain the same contribution." The former Manchester City player has also followed Bernal carefully, praising his potential on several occasions. He said: "His development has been remarkable, and his recovery from injury has been outstanding. It's important for him to continue developing alongside me. Young players can learn a lot by watching players from outside, by seeing different experiences."

Rodri's presence could allow Bernal to better utilize his ability to make runs into the penalty box, though he hasn't scored this season. Flick also wants to dispel the notion that Rodri's arrival will hinder Bernal's development. The coach has begun proving this through his actions. Rather than simply replacing the young midfielder with Rodri, Flick is seeking a way for both to be on the pitch together.

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