Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is carefully considering whether to risk fielding Rodri in the highly anticipated Premier Leaguematch against Liverpool on Sunday. The pivotal midfielder's fitness has been a concern, and Guardiola is hesitant to jeopardize his long-term health for a single game.
Rodri, a linchpin in Guardiola's Manchester City squad, endured a challenging previous season, with a serious knee injury that significantly hampered his time on the pitch. After undergoing surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation, the 29-year-old has been gradually reintegrated into the team. However, just as he was regaining his rhythm, a hamstring issue flared up during City's 1-0 victory against Brentford prior to the October international break. This setback forced him to miss four subsequent games, although he did make a brief substitute appearance in the 3-1 win over Bournemouth last weekend.
Adding to the uncertainty, Guardiola chose to exclude Rodri from the squad that triumphed 4-1 over Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Wednesday. This decision has intensified speculation about his availability for the Liverpool clash.
During a pre-match press conference at the City Football Academy on Friday, Guardiola addressed the concerns surrounding Rodri's fitness. While refraining from definitively ruling him out, Guardiola strongly hinted that he is unwilling to take any unnecessary risks. "We'll see tomorrow, but I think we'll not take a risk," Guardiola stated. He emphasized the importance of Rodri feeling "strong" and "fit" to endure the demanding nature of the game, particularly with the international break looming.
Guardiola acknowledged Rodri's significance to the team, stating, "Still we are in November, and the best part of the season is ahead of us and we need him". He also highlighted the absence of another key player, saying, "Still we're playing without the Ballon d'Or winner of two seasons ago, a massively important player". While Guardiola is eager to have Rodri back in action, he also expressed confidence in Nico Gonzalez, who is "becoming a really good and important player". Gonzalez is expected to fill the deep-lying midfield role if Rodri is unavailable.
The potential absence of Rodri would undoubtedly be a blow for Manchester City. However, Guardiola's cautious approach underscores his commitment to the player's long-term well-being and the team's prospects for the remainder of the season. The clash against Liverpool remains a crucial fixture, and Guardiola will be carefully weighing his options to ensure his team is best positioned for success, with or without Rodri.
