FC Barcelona’s 2-1 win over Real Valladolid on Saturday, was halted, for a brief time, when 19-year-old debutant Dani Rodríguez suffered an injury. Rodriguez’s injury was serious enough to require medical attention, and eventually, he was replaced by teenage phenom and budding superstar Lamine Yamal. He wasn’t the only Barcelona injury that was suffered today, as midfielder Gavi also developed a problem in the second half.
UEFA Champions League Semifinals Leg 2/2
FC Barcelona at Inter Milan
Kickoff: Tue. May 6, 8pm, San Siro, Milan, Italy
Aggregate: 3-3
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However, according to manager Hansi Flick, it’s not really a big deal.
Said Flick in his postgame press conference: “I think Gavi is OK. I hope it’s not an injury. He said after the match he’s OK. But we have to wait for tomorrow.”
Perhaps it is just a knock for Gavi? And Gavi will be ready for Tuesday night? With Rodriguez, the story is quite different.
He was brought in simply because Barca needed to do some squad rotation and rest their big guns for the huge mid-week UCL clash.
Taking on a side that has already been relegated from La Liga, there was no need to go with a strong team here. And while it was a huge opportunity for Dani Rodriguez here, unfortunately, this injury that he suffered today may keep him from featuring with the senior team again this term.
“Dani, I am really sad about him,” Flick said. “It’s tough.
“He came from an injury, now he has his first match with us.”
“He was really happy to have it. He showed what I see in training in the game. We will take care about him and if he’s back, then he can always train with us.”
Other than that, the Barcelona team news situation remains the same as it was entering the match. Robert Lewandowski and Alejandro Balde could return to action in this one, but they are both still questionable, at best.
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, the Washington Post and ESPN. You can follow him on Linked In and Twitter