{
  "id": 2574298,
  "title": "New arrival Rodri to miss Elche opener, says Barca’s Flick",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/new-arrival-rodri-to-miss-elche-opener-says-barcas-flick",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-22T11:48:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today-freemalays",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/sports/2026/08/22/new-arrival-rodri-to-miss-elche-opener-says-barca-s-flick"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Barcelona's new signing Rodri will not be included in the team's opening La Liga match against Elche on Sunday, according to coach Hansi Flick. The Spanish World Cup winner, who cost the club a fee potentially reaching US$89 million, may instead participate in the second game, against Athletic Bilbao on Thursday. Flick expressed confidence in Rodri's abilities, stating that he is \"very concentrated, focused, and his personality is very great.\" The coach also praised the pre-season performance of young Egyptian striker Hamza Abdelkarim, who scored four goals in recent friendlies, and highlighted the potential of wingers Anthony Gordon and Karim Adeyemi, who can also play as false nines alongside Raphinha and Dani Olmo. Full-back Joao Cancelo, signed recently, is also available for the Elche match, with Flick praising his \"unbelievable technique and a lot of passion.\"",
  "summary": "Coach Hansi Flick says the former Manchester City midfielder could make his debut against Athletic Bilbao on Thursday.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "New arrival Rodri to miss Elche opener, says Barca’s Flick",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/22/new-arrival-rodri-to-miss-elche-opener-says-barcas-flick-2576448",
        "published": "2026-08-22T11:48:56.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "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."
}