Manchester City Faces Long Absence of Key Midfielder Rodri
Manchester City midfielder Rodri has been ruled out for an extended period and will undergo surgery, according to manager Pep Guardiola. The Spain international suffered an injury during the champions’ 2-2 draw against Arsenal in the Premier League at the Etihad Stadium.
Currently, Rodri is in Barcelona for further assessments, but a complete prognosis is pending. Although initial reports suggested he could miss the remainder of the season, Guardiola remains cautiously optimistic that the timeline may not be as severe.
Guardiola stated, “Still, we don’t have the definitive. He’ll be out for a long time, a while, but there are opinions that maybe it will be less than we expect.” The manager emphasized the importance of Rodri’s health as the team awaits detailed information regarding the injury and necessary surgery.
Rodri’s absence creates a significant gap in the team. Guardiola remarked, “Rodri is irreplaceable, and we won’t play with the best midfielder in the world for a long time. Of course, it’s a big blow for us.” He expressed confidence in his squad to remain competitive despite the loss.
Rodri left the field in tears after going down without contact in the first half against Arsenal. Manchester City managed to salvage a draw in that match with John Stones’ late equalizer, preserving their two-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
This injury comes as Rodri was making his first Premier League start of the season after a light schedule post-Euro 2024, which saw him with only 22 rest days last season.
The impact of Rodri’s injury on the title race could be profound. Since his arrival from Atletico Madrid in 2019, City has not lost a Premier League match in which he started since February 2023. His absence marks the first significant period out for the 28-year-old since joining the club, challenging Guardiola to find a suitable replacement.
Mateo Kovacic is the likely candidate to step in at the base of midfield, though the team undoubtedly feels the loss of Rodri. His role has been pivotal in City’s success, contributing to four consecutive league titles and the Champions League victory in 2023.
As Manchester City navigates this period without Rodri, they face crucial fixtures in the coming weeks that will test their depth and resilience in the title race.
