Manchester City is facing a worrying situation with their key midfielder, Rodri, as he has reported feeling pain in the same knee that previously sidelined him for eight months. This injury concern arose ahead of a busy week for the club, casting doubt on his availability for crucial upcoming matches.
Rodri missed City's recent 5-1 victory over Burnley due to this knee problem, and his participation in Wednesday's Champions League tie against Monaco is now uncertain. Manager Pep Guardiola has expressed his uncertainty about Rodri's return, stating he doesn't know how the pain is in his knee and that the player himself felt he "was not ready to play".
The Spanish international has had a history with knee issues. He was previously recovering from a "big injury" sustained during the Club World Cup. Moreover, earlier in the season, there were concerns about his fitness before a match against Arsenal, with Guardiola revealing that pain had resurfaced before and during a game against Napoli. In that instance, Rodri was withdrawn after an hour of play. It’s worth noting that Rodri missed a significant portion of the previous season after rupturing his ACL.
Guardiola has emphasized the importance of patience with knee injuries, stating that "the knee needs its process". The club will be keen to avoid a recurrence of previous issues and ensure Rodri returns to full fitness without risking further complications.
Rodri's importance to Manchester City cannot be overstated. His absence is a significant blow to the team, as he is a crucial player in both defense and attack. City will hope that his current knee issue is not a long-term one, and that he can return to the pitch as soon as possible. In the meantime, they will have to find ways to cope without his presence in the midfield.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Rodri's injury, Guardiola has expressed confidence in his team's overall ability. Following the win against Burnley, where City showcased their attacking prowess, Guardiola stated, "I think the team is really good, always I have repeated it... Hopefully, they can believe me". City had two own goals from Esteve, as well as a Matheus Nunes goal and a double from Erling Haaland to thank for their victory over Burnley.
