Manchester City have struggled significantly since the Rodri’s ACL injury in last September. The Spanish is finally back in pitch after months. However, Pep Guardiola wants to ease Rodri into action, as he is still not fit enough to play a whole match. Although the 2024 Ballon D’Or winner is in the main squad for the FIFA Club World Cup, Rodri himself has expressed that it might take ‘months’ for him to be in his best version.
Without Rodri: The Injury that Shook Guardiola Last Season
It has been a season to forget for Pep’s team. After the unfortunate injury of Rodri, Manchester City have significantly failed to maintain the balance in the first eleven. The club from Manchester have failed to win a single title yet this season. They dropped many points and finished behind Liverpool and Arsenal. It was shocking to see a UCL winning team struggle to cement a place for next year’s UEFA Champions League. A time occurred when the top 4 finish was fading away from City’s hands. Throughout the season, none of the players were able to fill the void of Rodri. Even Guardiola had expressed his frustration over the injury of Rodri so many times in the press conferences. Finally, the club had to buy Nico Gonzalez from Porto in the winter transfer window. Nico played good football; however, he wasn’t able to pull the strings like his Spanish countryman. Man City’s backline was exploited on most of occasions.
In the UCL knockout clash, Real Madrid showed no mercy to them. Kylian Mbappe took matters into his own hand and destroyed Man City’s hopes with a brilliant hat-trick. Moreover, Arteta’s Arsenal also humbled Manchester City in the EPL. These two matches summed up the miserable season of Manchester City. It was clear that the long-term injury to Rodri had left the club clueless.
Why Rodri is Irreplaceable in Manchester City
In the modern era of Football, a particular position that holds the most important role is CDM. Without a proper CDM, it is impossible for a club to win trophies. Rodri has been the ‘spine’ in Guardiola’s team. Back in the 2023-24 season, Manchester City dominated the games so well because of his ability to control the flow of the game throughout the 90 minutes. He is a player who can also stay in deep defence and change the direction of the game with a long ball. Many football pundits have felt that he has played the role of Sergio Busquets in this Man City side. With the ACL injury, the shape of the team collapsed. Since Nico Gonzalez has failed to impress Pep, the club went on to sign Dutch midfielder Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan.
The central midfielder can operate as a CDM also. The Dutch had a decent season with Milan. As Rodri himself is unsure of his immediate impact on the team, Reijnders is someone who can match the profile of the Spanish international. “I know it’s still going to be months until I reach my level, but I’m so happy.”– said Rodri to the press before their last group stage match against Juventus.
Manchester City’s Comeback Despite Rodri’s Injury
Manchester City have already suffered a lot with the absence of Rodri. But the club is finally looking in shape after months. With Reijnders playing as a CDM, Manchester City have dominated their group by thrashing both Wydad Casablanca and AL Ain. Guardiola’s team has already confirmed the knockouts. Rodri himself has got some minutes against Wydad and Casablanca. Having recovered from the injury, he does not want to rush himself. Now, it is to see how many more days it takes for Rodri to find his best version again.
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As featured on ManCityNews.com
