Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Rodri is not yet ready to handle the physical demands of the club’s packed schedule, despite returning to the squad for their Champions League clash against Monaco. The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner is still recovering from a serious knee injury and has shown signs of fatigue after a demanding run of fixtures.
“Right now he’s not able to play three games in a week at top level—top intensity, demanding opponents,” Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference.
⚠️ Injury Timeline and Setbacks
Rodri suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear in September 2024 and made his return in May. However, he missed the start of the 2025/26 season after a setback at the Club World Cup, and has since struggled with tendon discomfort.
Guardiola clarified that Rodri is not currently injured, but his body is still adjusting to the rigours of elite competition.
“Now he is not injured but in the tendon, he has a difficulty,” Guardiola explained. “This type of injury, it is minimum one year and after that you start. He has been patient, and he will dictate his availability”.
🧠Rotation Strategy and Squad Management
Rodri started three matches in eight days—against Manchester United, Napoli, and Arsenal—before missing the 5–1 win over Burnley. Guardiola admitted that the intensity of those fixtures was too much, and hinted that Rodri may not feature against Monaco.
“My feeling right now is he is not ready to play against Monaco,” Guardiola said. “He needs time”.
The manager is expected to rotate heavily, with Bernardo Silva, Kalvin Phillips, and Mateo Kovacic likely to share midfield duties.
🧠Leadership and Locker Room Dynamics
With Kevin De Bruyne no longer captain, Bernardo Silva has taken on the armband and emphasized the importance of collective leadership.
“As the first captain you have to make sure some things don’t happen—to create that environment,” Silva said. “We’ve seen a group of great characters. My job now is to create that energy, that chemistry as a group of captains—me, Ruben (Dias), Rodri, Erling (Haaland)”.
Silva’s comments reflect a shift in City’s internal culture, where leadership is distributed and accountability is shared.
📊 Rodri’s Return: By the Numbers
| Metric | Value (Post-Injury) |
|---|---|
| Matches Started | 3 |
| Minutes Played | 247 |
| Pass Completion | 91% |
| Tackles per Game | 2.8 |
| Duels Won | 58% |
While Rodri’s technical output remains elite, his physical recovery is still ongoing.
🧠Final Thoughts
Pep Guardiola’s cautious approach with Rodri reflects a deeper understanding of long-term player welfare. For Manchester City, the priority isn’t just winning the next match—it’s ensuring their midfield anchor returns to full strength without risking re-injury. With Monaco up next and the Premier League heating up, Guardiola will need to balance ambition with patience.
Rodri’s absence may be felt, but City’s depth and leadership structure are built to absorb the strain. And when he’s ready, he’ll return not just as a player—but as a pillar.
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