Rodri’s Injury Challenges Manchester City Amidst Premier League Struggles

omidbasir- Rodri faced a severe ACL injury in September 2024, which hindered his participation in Manchester City’s Premier League title defense at the Etihad Stadium, leading to the eventual loss of their championship to Liverpool. Additional minor injuries were sustained during the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

The club has recognized the need to manage Rodri’s fitness carefully, with aspirations for him to regain his sharpness on the pitch. However, another setback occurred last month during a match against Brentford, where the 29-year-old midfielder had to exit within the first 20 minutes due to his ongoing knee issues.

Rodri’s absence has notably influenced the Cityzens’ on-field performance. Following his injury last season, the team’s form and momentum faltered, almost costing them their place in the Premier League title race by early 2025. This season began positively for City, yet with Rodri’s limited appearances, their performances have become increasingly erratic.

Ahead of their forthcoming Champions League clash against Bayer Leverkusen on Tuesday, manager Pep Guardiola provided an update on Rodri’s condition, stating, “Everybody is fit except Kova and Rodri. Not long for Rodri. Not sure but not long. We will wait a little more to ensure he is fine.”

After winning four consecutive matches across all competitions, City appeared to regain consistency, positioning themselves back in the title race with Arsenal, trailing by only four points. However, a surprising 2-1 defeat to Newcastle United has now seen them slip to third place in the Premier League, thanks to victories for both Chelsea and Arsenal.

In his analysis of the loss, Guardiola remarked to BBC Radio 5 Live: “It was a tight and entertaining game. Both teams had opportunities. In the end, they scored one more goal. Haaland had two or three chances, as he often does because he is the best. We started the second half well, gaining momentum, and were finding players in key positions. But after we scored, they equalized, making it more challenging due to the deep defense of Botman.”

Following the defeat, Guardiola exhibited a loss of composure, engaging in an animated discussion with Bruno Guimaraes, both appearing somewhat agitated. The 54-year-old also had an encounter with a cameraman as he struggled to maintain his cool. When asked about it, he replied: “No questions, everything is fine. I acknowledged how good Bruno is, but that conversation is private. Everything is fine.”

He later apologized to the cameraman during a press briefing, expressing, “I apologize. I feel embarrassed and ashamed upon reflection. I don’t like it. I immediately apologized to the cameraman. I am who I am. After 1,000 games, I am not perfect; I make significant mistakes. However, I am committed to defending my team and my club.”