According to Sport, Rodri required special arrangements when he first arrived at Barcelona. The fatigue from the 2024 World Cup, combined with his transfer negotiations with the club, meant he couldn't complete his preseason preparations normally. His start was cautious, but he quickly reached top form.

His statistics in the Champions League match against Feyenoord demonstrate this. According to official UEFA data, Rodri covered 11.3 kilometers in 83 minutes. This matches the distance covered by Kounde, who played the full match, and is only slightly less than Cancelo, who covered 11.6 kilometers while also playing all 90 minutes.

The Barcelona Ballon d'Or winner, alongside Pedri, has become the engine of Barça's midfield, despite some previous external doubts. Pedri also covered 8.9 kilometers in just 63 minutes. Had he played the full match, he too would have likely been among the players with the most running distance.

Barça ran more than Feyenoord

Rodri and Pedri's work in midfield is extremely important for Flick. They are responsible for blocking opponents' passing lanes, preventing counterattacks, and ensuring the quality of the team's fluid ball circulation. Barça completely dominated the match against Feyenoord, not only in possession and play but also in physical exertion. The entire Barça team covered 120 kilometers, while the Dutch team covered 111.7 kilometers. Although Feyenoord attempted a more aggressive approach, they couldn't withstand Barça's superiority.

The signings of Olmo and Fermín have given Barça a highly competitive midfield trio, arguably one of the best in the world. Bernal has also delivered as expected, proving that at just 19 years old he can match his teammates' organizational level despite the physical demands. Let's not forget that Gavi, after recovering from his injury at Elche, has regained playing time and remains a true driving force in midfield.

Barça can feel completely confident in the central area and relieved about signing Rodri. His integration has been seamless. He quickly found his footing both in the dressing room and on the pitch. He first played 27 minutes against Athletic Bilbao, then 26 minutes against Rayo Vallecano, followed by his first start against Valencia playing 62 minutes, and then 83 minutes against Feyenoord.

Rodri has demonstrated great efficiency, consistently understanding the game tactically. He is driving this Barça team with commanding control, and once fully match-fit, he will be an outstanding player.

Sprint before the international break

In the period leading up to the international break, he has become a key figure in Barça's push to lead La Liga while delivering strong performances in the Champions League. Currently, only Paris Saint-Germain has a better goal difference than Barça, who benefited from their 6-1 victory over Bratislava.

Barcelona will travel to Valencia to face Levante and Sevilla consecutively, then return midweek on Wednesday to face Racing Santander at Spotify Camp Nou. They will also play Sevilla at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium.

After that comes the international break. This time, the UEFA Nations League will feature matches across two weekends, and a large number of Barça players are expected to be called up to the Spanish squad, forming an important part of the world champion team.

Rodri will certainly be among them. As captain, he will be included in the squad to face England at Wembley Stadium in the first match of their quest to defend their European crown. They will then face the Czech Republic and play two legs against Croatia.

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