Manchester City have been dealt some weighty injury blows this season.
For example, in addition to losing Oscar Bobb to a serious injury at the start of the campaign, City have seen the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Nathan Ake pick up injury problems that have led to them missing games.
However, possibly the biggest blow they’ve been handed along these lines is losing Rodri to a season-ending knee injury.
During the first half of City’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal at the Etihad Stadium back in September – his first league start of the season – Rodri was forced off the pitch with a knee injury which was later revealed to have damaged his ACL, therefore needing surgery and a significant recovery period.
With some time now having gone past since then, Pep Guardiola has shared his thoughts on what he’s seen from his side without having their talismanic midfielder in the team.
- READ MORE: Who is Rodri? Get to know Man City’s modest midfield maestro who won a Champions League final
Guardiola drops City verdict after Rodri injury blow
In his recent press conference ahead of City’s Champions League match against Sparta Prague, Guardiola gave this response after being asked if he’s been pleased with how his team have played without Rodri.
“More than happy. There are many, many things I like a lot. In the bad moments when they understand what they are doing. Not good – what you have to improve and still we are there.”
Ilkay Gundogan believes Guardiola will know how to deal with Rodri’s absence
On the subject of how he feels his manager will be dealing with this big injury blow throughout the season, Ilkay Gundogan said this about how Guardiola will find an answer for City’s Rodri problem.
He said: “He’ll find a solution and I think he will have a good feeling for the situation and it’s something that again, he has experienced throughout the years and it’s something he will know best what to do.
“And for us players, we know about showing him that everyone is ready and making the choice for him as difficult as possible to put a starting XI for every game and then we’ll be fine, knowing that we are missing a huge player for us.”
In the Premier League, City have now played three games since Rodri picked up his knee injury.
Across those three matches against Newcastle United, Fulham and Wolves, City have scored six goals but conceded four, not keeping a clean sheet in either of them.
Even though Guardiola says he’s been happy with how his side have fared without Rodri so far, he and the City supporters will surely be eager to see the team be a bit more defensively stable going forward in the season.
