Manchester City are sweating on the fitness of Rodri as they navigate a busy period, including a chase for the Premier League title and an upcoming FA Cup final.
The Spain international has missed Manchester City’s last three games because of a groin injury.
Rodri’s Importance to Man City
Manchester City’s trophyless 2024-25 season was derailed by a series of injuries to key first-team players, with Rodri’s absence felt most keenly.
He sustained a serious knee injury that ruled him out for most of the campaign. City ended the season without any silverware for the first time in eight years.
The midfielder was awarded the Ballon d’Or in 2024.
- Since his debut in August 2019, City have a better win percentage with Rodri.
- They also score more goals when he plays.
- City concede fewer goals with Rodri in the team.
Although he has featured in 35 games for club and country this season, Rodri has spent additional time on the sidelines with a hamstring injury and now a groin issue.
Guardiola’s Comments on Rodri’s Condition
Guardiola said Rodri had started partial training on Thursday. His fitness will be assessed before making a decision on whether he can face Brentford on Saturday.
“We have survived without him for many, many months,” he said. “He still doesn’t feel completely comfortable. He will be ready when he is fit – we will see on Friday afternoon or on Saturday.”
Run-In Concerns for City
With an FA Cup final against Chelsea next Saturday and further league games against Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Aston Villa, Guardiola is hopeful Rodri will be fully fit to feature in those games.
Rodri featured in the impressive Carabao Cup final win against Arsenal and Guardiola said in March that the 29-year-old was getting better “step by step”.
He was then pivotal in the 2-1 victory against the Gunners that gave City the edge in the title race, but was forced off with a groin injury towards the end of that match in April.
He subsequently missed the narrow victories over Burnley in the Premier League and against Southampton in the FA Cup semi-final. He also missed Monday’s chaotic 3-3 draw at Everton.
City let slip their lead in that game and their advantage in the title race by conceding three goals in the space of 13 second-half minutes before rescuing a last-gasp draw through Jeremy Doku’s stunning strike.
Their defence was sliced open continuously and the backline was given little protection by the midfield.
The raucous Hill Dickinson Stadium required calm heads and for someone to show composure and take the sting out of the game.
Despite the frenzied match on Merseyside that leaves City trailing league leaders Arsenal by five points with a game in hand, Guardiola does not feel Rodri’s absence contributed to the result.
Guardiola added: “It doesn’t depend on him. We gave the goals away but not because Rodri was not there.”
Over the course of Rodri’s hugely successful Manchester City career, one thing is plain; Pep Guardiola’s side are a better team with him than without him.