"Rodri has returned to fitness and featured in 35 games for club and country this season, Rodri has spent additional time on the sidelines with a hamstring injury and now a groin issue. Guardiola said Rodri's fitness will be assessed before making a decision on whether he can face Brentford on Saturday (kick-off 17:30 BST). "We have survived without him for many, many months," he said. "He still doesn't feel completely comfortable. He will be ready when he is fit - we will see on Friday afternoon or on Saturday.""
"The Spain captain sustained a serious knee injury that ruled him out for most of the campaign and City endured the unthinkable under Pep Guardiola by ending the season without any silverware for the first time in eight years. The midfielder was awarded the Ballon d'Or in 2024, which not only confirmed his status as the best player in the world but also highlighted his importance to Guardiola and City."
"Rodri featured in the impressive Carabao Cup final win against Arsenal and Guardiola said in March that the 29-year-old was getting better "step by step". He was then pivotal in the 2-1 victory against the Gunners that gave City the edge in the title race, but was forced off with a groin injury towards the end of that match in April. He subsequently missed the narrow victories over Burnley in the Premier League and against Southampton in the FA Cup semi-final."
"City let slip their lead in that game and their advantage in the title race by conceding three goals in the space of 13 second-half minutes before rescuing a last-gasp draw through Jeremy Doku's stunning strike. Their defence was sliced open continuously and the backline was given little protection by the midfield."
Rodri’s knee injury sidelined him for most of the 2024-25 season, contributing to Manchester City finishing trophyless for the first time in eight years. He had been awarded the Ballon d’Or in 2024, reinforcing his importance to Pep Guardiola and the team. After returning to fitness and appearing in 35 games for club and country, Rodri again missed time due to a hamstring injury and now a groin problem. Guardiola said Rodri’s fitness will be assessed before deciding whether he can play Brentford. Rodri played in the Carabao Cup final win over Arsenal, helped City beat Arsenal 2-1 in the title race, and then left that match with a groin injury. He missed key wins afterward, including matches against Burnley, Southampton, and a chaotic 3-3 draw at Everton where City conceded three second-half goals in 13 minutes.
Read at www.bbc.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]