Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has called on his players to adapt to the long-term absence of influential midfielder Rodri who will be out for the rest of the season because of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, Afrosport reports.
The Spaniard was taken off in the first half of the Citizen’s 2-2 draw with title rivals Arsenal last weekend. City confirmed the state of his injury this week while Guardiola confirmed in a press conference on Friday ahead of Saturday’s early kick-off at Newcastle United that the 28-year-old has had surgery and will play no further part in this season.
It is a huge blow for the former Atletico Madrid player, who is a very integral part of how City play and dominates games, which Guardiola acknowledged.
“Surgery this morning, ACL and next season he will be here. This season is over. Unfortunately, we got the worst but these things happen. We will be there to support him in his recovery step-by-step,” the Catalan tactician said.
“What he gives us, we don’t have a similar player. But the others can all together replace what Rodri has given since his arrival to us. We will have to do it as a team and find a way to play a lot of matches without an important player for us.
“If we don’t win then it is because of Rodri. We are stronger with him and stronger with [Nathan] Ake and [Oscar] Bobb and Kevin [De Bruyne] but that is what it is. We don’t want it but it is football.
“As a club we have magnificent players and we will find a solution.”
PEP 💬 What he [Rodri] gives us we don’t have a similar player, but the other players all together can replace what Rodri has given us since he arrived. We have to do it as a team and find a way to play during a lot of months without an important player. pic.twitter.com/slEhcU0t9i
— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 27, 2024
Rodri has been ever-present for Man City since he joined from Atletico Madrid in 2019, scoring 26 goals and providing 30 assists in 260 apperances, all of which have contributed towards winning 11 titles including the historic treble of the Premier League, FA Cup and UEFA Champions League during the 2022-23 season.
