{
  "id": 15818164,
  "title": "Rodri needed a rest for Barcelona ahead of Clasico, says Flick",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/rodri-needed-a-rest-for-barcelona-ahead-of-clasico-says-flick",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-20T22:40:12.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/10/21/rodri-needed-a-rest-for-barcelona-ahead-of-clasico-says-flick"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Barcelona coach Hansi Flick revealed Rodri would return to the starting lineup for Sunday's Clasico match against Real Madrid, following his substitution in the 1-4 Champions League loss to Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday. Flick explained that Rodri, who had played extensively for his country and the team recently, needed rest for the crucial La Liga showdown. The coach expressed satisfaction with the decision to rest Rodri and highlighted the need for improvement in possession and mistakes made during the game. Flick emphasized that the team must learn from the defeat and not aim to win titles in October, as true Champions League success comes in June. The absence of key PSG players Dani Olmo, Ousmane Dembele, and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia due to injuries added to the challenge for Barcelona in their upcoming match.",
  "summary": "Coach Hansi Flick said the chance to go nine points ahead of Real Madrid in LaLiga influenced his team selection in the Champions League loss to PSG.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "Rodri needed a rest for Barcelona ahead of Clasico, says Flick",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/20/rodri-needed-a-rest-for-barcelona-ahead-of-clasico-says-flick-15818560",
        "published": "2026-10-20T22:40:12.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}