Barcelona’s route south to Seville may open a first-team door for Iker Rodríguez, the 18-year-old goalkeeper emerging from the club’s academy ranks. Hansi Flick will make his final call after Friday’s training session, with Joan García still being monitored following discomfort in his right knee during the match against Racing Santander.
García has not been ruled out for Saturday night’s league trip to Sevilla, scheduled for 21:30 in the seventh round of the championship. But if Barcelona decide not to risk their regular goalkeeper, Rodríguez is expected to be the academy option added to the travelling group. Wojciech Szczesny would be in line to start at the Sánchez-Pizjuán, with Dominik Livaković also part of the goalkeeping contingent.
Rodríguez, a Spain Under-19 international who is still eligible for youth football, has begun the season as Barcelona Atlètic’s first-choice goalkeeper. He has kept clean sheets in each of the reserve side’s opening two league fixtures: a 5-0 victory over Náxara and a goalless draw away to Logroñés B. In Logroño, he made a decisive close-range stop in the final minute to preserve the point.
The situation has shifted after Eder Aller, 19, sustained a minor problem in Barcelona’s Youth League meeting with Feyenoord. Aller was withdrawn at half-time and did not make the Barcelona Atlètic squad last Sunday, when Max Bonfill was the reserve keeper. Before Livaković arrived, Aller had been expected to share third-goalkeeper duties around the senior side with Rodríguez.
Barcelona’s sporting department regard Rodríguez as one of the most promising goalkeepers in their development system. He is tied to the club until 2027, and a new agreement has largely been arranged, although it remains unsigned because of scheduling matters. The club acted after several European sides showed interest during the summer.
There could yet be a demanding weekend for the teenager. Barcelona Atlètic travel to Barbastro on Sunday at 17:30 for their third Segunda RFEF Group 2 fixture, while Flick’s first team will return from Seville in the early hours after Saturday’s match. Rodríguez would have enough time to feature for both squads, as Diego Kochen sometimes did last season, though any decision on his involvement at Barbastro would rest with reserve-team coach Juliano Belletti.
