Rodri is continuing to have issues with his knee which caused him to miss City’s win over Burnley | OneFootball

Rodri has missed Manchester City’s past two matches against Huddersfield Town and Burnley. It wasn’t a surprise to see Manchester City’s most important player rested for a Carabao Cup third-round tie at the Accu Stadium. That was to be expected. More of a concern was that Rodri missed City’s 5-1 win over Burnley on Saturday. Pep Guardiola has now revealed that the Spanish midfielder was suffering from pain in the knee he injured last season. Rodri’s bid to return to full fitness will be an ongoing process throughout the early stages of this season.

Rodri ruled himself out of Manchester City’s win over Burnley.

Speaking after Manchester City’s win over Burnley, Pep Guardiola was asked why Rodri missed City’s win at the Etihad. The Manchester City manager explained that City’s midfield general was suffering from pain in his reconstructed knee, which forced him to miss Saturday’s match against Burnley. Pep Guardiola explained: “In training, Rodri said. I’m not able to play. I have a lot of pain in my knee, I cannot play.”

“And I said: You cannot play? You don’t play. So, another one is going to play. It’s the same knee he had injured.”

Nico has shown he can play a role to give Manchester City’s midfield general the time he needs to recover.

It was to be expected that Rodri’s recovery from the ACL injury he suffered last season wouldn’t be a linear process. So far this season, he has played five matches in all competitions ans shown signs that he is getting back to his best. But he will need games off to rest and recover. That is the process that City and their most important player are in currently.

Pep Guardiola’s side does have Nico who can step into Rodri role when required. The Spanish midfielder did that on Saturday against Burnley. He arguably played his best game of the season at the Etihad on Saturday. While losing Rodri for any game is a blow for Manchester City, the silver lining is that his absence gives Nico the minutes he needs to grow into life in Pep Guardiola’s side.

It remains to be seen if Rodri will be available for Manchester City’s next two matches against AS Monaco and Brentford. That is a major storyline to watch for this week. But if Rodri cannot play there is an option in Nico for Pep Guardiola to utilise in midfield.