Flick, whose team suffered its first defeat in 12 matches across all competitions this season, added, "I spoke with him this morning and told him that we made this decision, and that's why Marc Bernal started. For me, what we did was a good solution, and I hope he will be in his best condition on Sunday."
Rodri entered the pitch an hour into the match in Paris, where Barcelona's perfect record this season came to an end.
The Catalan team came from behind twice, as Xavi Espart (55) and Lamine Yamal (79) cancelled out the goals of Désiré Doué (38) and Lucas Hernández (72) for the hosts.
However, Portuguese international Vitinha put Paris Saint-Germain back ahead just two minutes later (81), before another Spanish international, Fabián Ruiz, sealed the win for the European holders of the last two years by scoring the fourth goal (86).
Flick said, "I think it was a great match from both teams, but we made too many mistakes, especially in ball possession."
He added, "But I also saw many positive aspects. For me, it was an excellent test for us, and you saw today as well the mistakes we need to correct in order to improve."
He continued, "We have to learn from this match. Today we are in October, and titles cannot be won at this time. The Champions League is decided in June."
Flick explained that the anticipated El Clasico, in which Barcelona has the chance to pull nine points clear of Real Madrid in the Spanish League, "greatly" influenced his lineup choices.
Barcelona's Spanish midfielder Dani Olmo is suffering from a left adductor muscle injury and will be sidelined for about a month, after leaving the pitch injured in the 27th minute against PSG, the Catalan club announced yesterday, Wednesday.
The Spanish world champion remained on the pitch after a challenge with Parisian midfielder and Portuguese international Vitinha, before making way for Fermín López.
The 28-year-old will miss at least four weeks, which will rule him out of at least the next five matches, including El Clasico against Real Madrid on Sunday, and two tough clashes against Atletico Madrid and Villarreal in November.
Olmo, a pillar of the Spanish national team, may also be forced to miss the upcoming international break and the final two rounds of the UEFA Nations League against the Czech Republic and England on November 12 and 15.
Injuries at PSG
Paris Saint-Germain saw two of its most prominent attacking stars, Ousmane Dembélé and Georgian Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, leave the Barcelona match injured.
Dembélé suffered a left hamstring injury during the first half, while Brazilian international captain Marquinhos was also unable to complete the match due to a right thigh muscle injury.
Paris Saint-Germain's Spanish coach Luis Enrique said, "I am not a doctor, but all three players suffered injuries, and this is the worst thing we came out with from tonight's match."
He added, "Three injuries to three very important players. It's the worst news we could have received, but this is part of football."
PSG announced yesterday morning, Wednesday, that its forward Kvaratskhelia "is suffering from a tear in the anterior cruciate ligament of his right knee" and will be sidelined for several months.
The club added in a medical statement that Dembélé "will continue to undergo treatment in the coming weeks," much like Marquinhos.
PSG has achieved three victories from its first three matches in the unified group stage this season, scoring 14 goals, in its pursuit of winning the Champions League for the third consecutive year.
Thus, the team appears to be on a comfortable path towards reaching the knockout stages, even though its coach refuses to exaggerate optimism.
The top eight teams qualify directly to the round of 16.
Enrique said, "We have already faced our two top-tier opponents," referring to this victory which came after winning by the same scoreline against English side Manchester City in the second round last week.
He added, "But I would like to remind you that we also won our first three matches last season, yet we were not among the top eight. We will enjoy this victory, and then we will start thinking about the weekend match against Lyon" in the eighth round of the league.
