Abhay Singh
Rodri’s substitution came early in the 21st minute due to an unfortunate twist of the joint that occurred during a collision with Arsenal’s Thomas Partey at a corner.
While the timescale for his recovery remains uncertain, Pep Guardiola mentioned after the recent Carabao Cup victory over Watford that Rodri is expected to endure an extended period on the sidelines, emphasizing the significance of his absence in the upcoming matches.
“We are waiting for the last phone calls”
Pep Guardiola said Still we don’t have the definitive [diagnosis] but he will be out for a long time – a while, But there are some opinions that maybe it will be less than we expected. “We are waiting for the last phone calls from him and the doctors for what definitely he has and the type of surgery he has to get.”
“We expect that tonight, tomorrow we will know exactly.” He added.
Rodri embarked on a journey to Spain to consult with a specialist after undergoing preliminary examinations in Manchester.
Pep Guardiola, the manager, bestowed upon the 28-year-old the title of “irreplaceable,” highlighting his significance to the team’s success – a fact reinforced by City’s remarkable streak of not losing in the past 48 Premier League fixtures whenever Rodri has been in the starting lineup. Guardiola, undeterred by Rodri’s absence, remains steadfast in his resolve to devise innovative strategies and alternative solutions to maintain the team’s competitive edge.
In July, he was voted player of the tournament as well. He is among the favorites to win the Ballon d’Or, which is awarded to the world’s finest player, next month. Spain won Euro 2024.
The former Atletico Madrid midfielder, who appeared in 63 games for City and Spain in the previous campaign, stated a week ago that players are “close to” going on strike in protest of the calendar’s increased amount of games, which includes an extended Champions League and Club World Cup.
Guardiola is likely to tinker with his formation
Guardiola has never disguised his opinion that Rodri is the one midfield pillar that his Manchester City team needs. Although Guardiola has long since determined that Kalvin Phillips, a former Leeds player, is not good enough, the closest thing the City team has to a sitting midfielder is Phillips, who is on loan at Ipswich and cannot be called up until January.
Guardiola will therefore probably change his formation and start with two holding midfielders. Mateo Kovacic, a former Chelsea player, can play that position, although he is not the only one.
Center-back During his time at the Etihad, John Stones has rarely played as a lone defensive midfielder; instead, he has occasionally been switched from central defense and right-back to the deep-lying role. It was a role that Ilkay Gundogan frequently filled before he moved to Barcelona in 2023.
There, Bernardo Silva and the occasionally injured Kevin de Bruyne have also played. And then there’s Rico Lewis, a 19-year-old whose versatility Guardiola claimed only last week could play a variety of roles.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings