Rodri to miss Elche opener, FC Barcelona manager Flick confirms

FC Barcelona manager Hansi Flick has confirmed that marquee new signing Rodri will miss Sunday's La Liga opening match against Elche. The midfielder will instead join full group training on Monday after completing individual gym and conditioning work, he said.

Flick did not reveal who would start up front at Elche but praised the pre-season form of Egyptian youngster Hamza Abdelkarim. Flick said full-back Joao Cancelo, signed this week, was available for Barcelona's trip to the Martinez Valero stadium.