While the future is concerning for Manchester City without Rodri, one star believes he will be able to step into his role.
Manchester City learned the dreaded news that they will be without Rodri for the whole of the season after he suffered a serious knee injury against Arsenal.
Tests revealed Rodri suffered an ACL tear as well as meniscus damage that will keep him out of action for nine months and see him miss the entire campaign.
The scale of the loss to Pep Guardiola’s team is huge, with Rodri the glue that holds the entire system together. The Spaniard has been so incredible over the last year that many believe he should win the Ballon d’Or, a rarity for defensive midfielders.
Though City did get off to a winning start without Rodri this season, they lost all four Premier League games in which he didn’t play last term.
Life without him didn’t get off to a great start on Saturday, either, with City being held to a 1-1 draw by Newcastle United.
Yet, Mateo Kovacic is confident that he can fill the massive gap in Rodri’s absence and play his position.
- Who is Mateo Kovacic? Step inside the life of the elegant Man City midfielder
Mateo Kovacic ‘loves’ playing in the Rodri role
Speaking to TNT Sports after the game, Kovacic spoke on the loss of Rodri. He said: “Rodri’s obviously a very important player for us.
“We wish him a good recovery. Hope he comes back well. If he’s not here we have to cope with it, we have a lot of good players who can come into this midfield and play.
” So it’s the manager for sure will find the player to fill the space.”
The Croatian was then asked if he felt the responsibility to step up in Rodri’s absence and whether he can play in his position. Kovacic said in response: “Of course.
“I played there when Rodri was injured. It’s a position that I can play, love to play. I’m here to do my best.”
Who will step into Rodri’s role?
Guardiola opted for a change of system in the first game without Rodri, with Kovacic and Rico Lewis playing in a more traditional double pivot, rather than the full-back moving up from defence.
City weren’t their usual best on the ball after a draining week but they battled a combative side well, showing the system may be a good direction to head in.
Kovacic himself has had a strong start to the season, too, starting every Premier League game so far and ensuring Rodri wasn’t missed too much in the opening fixtures.
Whether he will be able to keep up that form all season remains to be seen, though, and Guardiola does have other options for the position.
Ilkay Gundogan has proven he can play deep after he stepped into Fernandinho’s shoes in 2018/19 while John Stones has had some excellent games in midfield and should be given more chances there.
Speaking after the match, Guardiola seemed pleased with the pairing of Kovacic and Lewis, though. He said: “Guys, I’m going to tell you, and I know you are going to ask me all the time; of course, we are going to miss Rodri.
“Physicality, his presence, I know it. But he’s not there. So I’m judging what Kovacic, and Rico, and Bernardo [Silva] after, and the wingers with Jack [Grealish] how we have played. And it was exceptional!
“It’s simple. I know that; if we are going well, ah it’s because of no Rodri. I have to find solutions We are going to find solutions.
“I would love Rodri to be here, and Oscar Bobb to be here, and Kevin [De Bruyne] to be here, and [Nathan] Ake to be here. I would love it.
“But it is what it is, because it’s 10 years playing 60, 70 games [per season] and the communication, and national teams. And sometimes it happens. We have to adapt. And we adapted really well against a strong side.”
