Rodri nears first Barcelona start following managed fitness program

Barcelona midfielder Rodri is expected to make his first start for the club following a period of carefully managed conditioning. After a demanding World Cup campaign, the Spain international has been limited to substitute appearances in his first two matches with the team. Manager Hansi Flick oversaw a training program designed to build the midfielder's fitness gradually, which reached its conclusion following the match against Rayo Vallecano. Barcelona now has the flexibility to rotate the position due to the strong performances of young midfielder Marc Bernal. Coaching staff are weighing the upcoming match against Valencia or the Champions League fixture versus Feyenoord as the appropriate time for the player's full match debut. The club intends to integrate the summer signing into a prominent role as the season progresses into higher-stakes competition.

• 10:45 AMYahoo Sports — Barcelona’s marquee summer signing closing in on first start after carefully managed introduction