According to a report by Barca Universal on Sunday October 18, 2026, Barcelona continued their impressive start to the season with a convincing 5-2 victory over Real Betis, but midfielder Rodri believes Hansi Flick’s side must improve defensively despite their attacking brilliance.

The Catalans faced a competitive challenge during the first half before producing a stronger performance after the break. However, conceding twice left questions about their defensive organisation ahead of crucial upcoming fixtures.

Speaking after scoring his first goal for Barcelona at La Cartuja, Rodri expressed satisfaction with the result while acknowledging the difficulty of playing against Betis on their home ground.

“I’m very happy with the victory. This is one of the most difficult grounds in the league,” the midfielder said, reflecting on Barcelona’s achievement.

Rodri also explained the importance of his goal, which helped Barcelona regain control during a challenging period of the match. He admitted that his contribution brought the team greater confidence when they needed it most.

Despite celebrating the victory, the former Manchester City midfielder identified Barcelona’s defensive record as an area requiring immediate improvement. He stressed that their attacking strengths must be matched by greater security at the back.

“The team is showing its attacking potential, but we are conceding quite a lot. That’s where we can improve,” Rodri admitted, highlighting a concern that could become costly against stronger opponents.

The midfielder also praised Lamine Yamal following the teenager’s spectacular goal against Betis. Rodri expressed admiration for the youngster’s quality while recognising his willingness to work hard and support his teammates throughout matches.

Rodri additionally raised concerns about the condition of the La Cartuja pitch, suggesting the surface made Barcelona’s usual passing approach more difficult during the encounter.

His warning comes at a critical moment, with Barcelona preparing to face Paris Saint-Germain before the highly anticipated El Clasico against Real Madrid. Both fixtures will severely test their defensive resilience.

Although Rodri’s presence strengthens Barcelona’s midfield, the team must improve its balance when committing players forward. Reducing defensive mistakes could prove decisive in determining their success against Europe’s elite opponents.