Pep Guardiola confirms the 'headache' in Man City's midfield

Coach Pep Guardiola has caused concern among Manchester City fans by admitting that Rodri is likely to miss the next two matches against Villarreal in the Champions League and Aston Villa in the Premier League.

Following the 2-0 victory over Everton in the Premier League, Pep Guardiola acknowledged that Rodri’s condition has not improved positively, despite his strong desire to return to play immediately. The 29-year-old suffered an injury during the win against Brentford before the international break and has not been able to train normally since.

Pep Guardiola stated: “I don’t think Rodri will be able to play against Villarreal or Aston Villa. The injury is not too severe, but it is a muscular issue, so we have to be very careful. We have tried many times not to take risks, but we still cannot control the situation. We will have to wait and see.”

Rodri has suffered three different injuries within a few months since the Club World Cup, noticeably affecting his form and fitness. The absence of this key defensive midfielder has weakened Man City's midfield, especially as they prepare for a crucial run of games in both the Premier League and Champions League.

Pep Guardiola has had to rotate his squad recently. Before the Everton match, Nico Gonzalez was given a chance and played with great energy, while Mateo Kovacic also made his first appearance since May following Achilles tendon surgery. However, the Spanish coach remains cautious.

Pep Guardiola said: “Kovacic has a special quality in ball retention. But don’t forget, he has just returned from surgery and has been out for 3–4 months. We need to regain his form and rhythm.”

“I really want Kovacic to play a full 90 minutes, but he is not ready yet. Forcing it won’t help. However, Kovacic can definitely play 20-30 minutes, and with players like him, we still have many quality tactical options.”

According to Daily Mail, if Rodri does not recover in time, his absence could extend beyond three weeks, meaning Man City will lose a crucial “steel shield” in midfield. With the team aiming to defend their Premier League lead and maintain consistent form in the Champions League, missing Rodri is certainly a major headache for Pep Guardiola.

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