Man City: Guardiola unsure if Rodri will face Napoli in UCL | OneFootball

Anticipation is growing in Manchester for the Champions League showdown that will see the Italian champions face off against the Citizens. According to the latest reports from Sky Sports, Pep Guardiola has yet to finalize the starting lineup to face the Azzurri.

The Spanish midfielder not at his best after the derby, decision awaited at the last moment

The main issue concerns the presence of Rodri. The Spanish midfielder, an irreplaceable anchor in City's midfield, came out bruised from the Manchester derby played last Sunday. His physical condition is being closely monitored by the technical staff, who fear he may not be at his best for the European commitment. Rodri's potential absence would complicate Guardiola's plans, forcing him to reconsider the team's balance in a match with a very high degree of difficulty. However, it is not ruled out that the coach may decide to preserve him for the Premier League big match against Arsenal, scheduled for Sunday, thus avoiding further risks.

Without their midfield metronome, City would lose solidity and timing, crucial aspects against a Napoli team arriving with great motivation and a desire to compete with one of Europe's powerhouses. Guardiola will assess until the last moment, but the uncertainty surrounding Rodri remains the central theme in the hours leading up to the clash at the Etihad Stadium.

Andrea Alati

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇮🇹 here.