Manchester City must remain cautious with Rodri’s return to the pitch | OneFootball

One of the major positives to come out of the FIFA Club World Cup for Manchester City was the return of Rodri to the pitch. City’s midfield general played four games at the tournament as he makes his way back to full fitness from the ACL injury he sustained last season. But coming out of the competition, it is clear to see that a cautious approach must be maintained with Rodri’s return as he needs time to get back to his best and to full fitness.

Rodri complained of fitness issues ahead of Manchester City’s defeat to Al Hilal.

Jack Gaughan has reported for the Daily Mail that Rodri complained of fitness issues ahead of Manchester City’s 4-3 defeat to Al Hilal. Rodri subsequently came on as a second-half substitute at the Camping World Stadium during City’s round of 16 exit. But he was replaced by Phil Foden during the first half of extra time. Pep Guardiola told the media after his team’s defeat that Rodri has picked up an unknown injury issue while on the pitch against Simone Inzaghi’s side.

Coming out of the Club World Cup it is clear to see that Manchester City must remain cautious with Rodri’s return. He needs time to get back to full fitness. This risk is too great to rush him back. That appears to be a big lesson for City to come out of the tournament.

Manchester City must continue to ease Rodri back into the fold.

Rodri’s performances on the pitch at the Club World Cup were full of promise. He appeared rusty against Wydad AC and Al Ain. But he did work his way back to form in those two appearances. He played superbly against Juventus in Manchester City’s 5-2 win over the Serie A giants. But against Al Hilal he wasn’t fully fit and the fact he had be substituted after coming on as a substitute was telling. That shows that Rodri needs time to get back to full fitness. So a lesson to come out of Manchester City’s Club World Cup campaign is that Rodri isn’t yet ready to play every 4 days, he needs more time to get fit.

Rodri, like his teammates, now has a month off ahead of the 25/26 season. After playing four games in the United States the opportunity to rest is a welcome one for Rodri. The hope is that he can hit the 25/26 season fit and ready to fire. He may still do exactly that. But for now, Manchester City must remain cautious with his return. He isn’t yet ready to play regularly and that is perhaps the most important lesson to come out for Manchester City’s FIFA Club World Cup campaign.