Rodri set to make Barcelona debut against Athletic Club without having played a minute yet

He hasn't even touched the ball as a Barcelona player yet, and he's already the story of the day. Rodri has been named to a Barcelona squad for the first time, and everything points to him getting his first minutes in the blaugrana shirt this Thursday against Athletic Club at the Spotify Camp Nou. That's no small detail when you're talking about the reigning Ballon d'Or winner and one of the most important pieces in European soccer over the last few years.

Hansi Flick confirmed it in his press conference: the plan is to give Rodrigo Hernandez some game time in what will also be the team's first home match of the season. The German coach hasn't hidden his eagerness to get him on the field as soon as possible, though it remains to be seen how many minutes he'll get right off the bat after an unusual preseason for the Spanish midfielder.

Balde stays and fights for a starting spot

The other headline in the squad list has a first and last name: Alejandro Balde. The left back, who was left out of the league opener against Elche, is back in the squad after deciding this week to stay at Barcelona and compete with Joao Cancelo for the starting job. Flick had been blunt about the reasons behind that absence.

I don't think he's at one hundred percent, that he's not here, and that's why I decided to leave him in Barcelona. I hope he sorts out his thoughts and we'll see what happens on Monday.Hansi Flick

Balde's return to the squad seems to close, at least for now, the saga that dragged on for much of the week.

Gavi is out, three academy players step in

It's not all good news on the roster front. Compared to the Elche match, there are three absences. Gavi had to be substituted with an injury in that game, and while the scare turned out to be nothing serious, he won't be ready in time to face Athletic. Also missing are Alvaro Cortes, the center back who is finalizing his exit from the club, and Jordi Pesquer, the La Masia left back currently on international duty with Spain's under-18 squad. In their place, Flick called up three young players: Farinas, Abdelkarim and Eder Aller. The case of Abdelkarim, the Egyptian winger, stands out after the strong preseason he put together. No one would be surprised if he ends up logging some minutes.

With several lineup questions still to be sorted out, the starting eleven Flick is considering could include Gordon and Cancelo from the opening whistle: Joan Garcia; Eric Garcia, Christensen, Gerard Martin, Cancelo; Bernal, Xavi Espart, Fermin; Lamine Yamal, Gordon and Raphinha. A Barcelona squad with new faces on the roster, and with Rodri as the headline story before he's even made his debut.