2024-09-27 19:53:26
The Spanish midfielder was injured in the top game against Arsenal last matchday. It is now clear how long the Manchester City star will be missing.
The fears have been confirmed: Manchester City will have to do without Rodri for the rest of the season. The Spanish European football champion suffered a serious cruciate ligament injury in his right knee last weekend and underwent surgery on Friday morning. This was confirmed by his coach Pep Guardiola. “Unfortunately the worst suspicions have been confirmed,” said the coach. “He’ll be back here next season.”
Man City has no comparable player, emphasized Guardiola, for whom Rodri’s loss is a serious setback, and appealed to his team. “But the others together can replace what Rodri has given us since his arrival. We will have to do it as a team and find a way to play many games without this important player for us.”
Rodri was injured last Sunday in the defending champions’ top Premier League game against Arsenal FC (2-2). After just 20 minutes, the Spaniard limped off the pitch and had to be substituted. He then underwent extensive examinations in his homeland, which brought bitter certainty for the defending champion and league leader.
Guardiola did not want to rule out City signing a replacement for the defensive midfielder. “We will discuss it. We will see what is possible. We have time to think,” said the coach. “If we don’t win, it’s because of Rodri. (…) We don’t like it, but that’s football.”
Rodri, who recently complained to the media about the high level of stress in football and even raised the prospect of a players’ strike, has been one of the defending champions’ top performers since his move from Atlético Madrid around five years ago. Before the 6th Premier League matchday and the game at Newcastle United, Man City is at the top of the table with four wins and one draw.