Rodri would perhaps have felt grateful witnessing his Manchester City teammates pile wins on top of each other during his absence.
The Euro 2024 winner helped Pep Guardiola’s men get over the line in their latest 2-1 victory against Brentford as a second-half substitute upon his return to club football.
Rodri would also have felt satisfied discovering this season that City look like they can get points on the board even when he is unavailable — unlike when they lost to Wolves, Arsenal and Aston Villa during the 2023/2024 campaign.
Mateo Kovacic has expertly deputised for the Spaniard while the Manchester City team as a whole have started the season in statement fashion by winning all their Premier League games so far.
- READ MORE: Who is Rodri? Get to know Man City’s modest midfield maestro who won a Champions League final
Man City star Erling Haaland hailed for his start to the season
Pep Guardiola also deserves credit for ensuring that his team do not look particularly vulnerable without their talismanic midfielder.
However, Erling Haaland has been in impeccable form so far — scoring nine goals in four league games — seemingly taking the responsibility upon his shoulders to make sure Manchester City did not miss Rodri.
Haaland broke Wayne Rooney’s 13-year-old record of scoring the most goals (eight in 2011) in the first four games of a Premier League campaign.
- READ MORE: Pundit says Man City have a player who is genuinely ‘making a mockery of the Premier League’
In their outings against Brentford, West Ham United and Ipswich Town, the Sky Blues have undergone ropey spells — conceding first twice and being on the backfoot in spells of the games.
However, the £375,000-a-week goalscorer has come to the rescue time and again for the Premier League champions.
When quizzed about how Haaland’s blistering start to the season could indicate the importance of players getting additional rest, Rodri agreed and praised him for his performances so far.
The 28-year-old said via HaytersTV: “Yeah, maybe it’s a good example. He had a long break because his country didn’t qualify for the Euros, so long break.”
“And you see how he’s performing right now, he’s turning again into that beast we saw in the early days and it gives you a clue of why we ask for this [footballers getting more rest].”
Haaland will be hoping to make a statement against Inter Milan
Now that it looks like Haaland is set to conquer the Premier League once again, he would be hoping to do the same in the Champions League.
The 24-year-old would be determined to start his Champions League campaign with a bang against Inter Milan.
Last season, Harry Kane and Kylian Mbappe finished as the joint top goalscorers in the competition with eight goals.
Haaland scored two less goals (six) than both Kane and Mbappe.
The Norwegian international has the chance to start like he means to go on and that too against one of Europe’s best teams in Inter Milan.
All eyes will be on Haaland to see how he fares against Simone Inzaghi’s side.
