Pep Guardiola reveals worrying Rodri injury update ahead of Monaco Champions League tie

The Spanish midfielder has struggled to maintain full fitness this season.

Pep Guardiola has revealed why Rodri was absent from Manchester City’s matchday squad in their 5-1 win over Burnley in the Premier League over the weekend.

Despite missing the match, Guardiola’s side managed to ease past the Clarets with a thumping win and continued their fine form in the league. Erling Haaland’s two goals, and a brace of own goals from Burnley defender Maxime Esteve and a strike from Matheus Nunes guided the club to a dominant victory.

This was City’s third win in six matches this season, and they currently stand seventh in the Premier League table. Following the lineup announcement, questions were asked why Rodri didn’t make the starting lineup and even the matchday squad.

Guardiola reveals why Rodri didn’t play against Burnley

Following the match, the Spanish manager provided the answer to the media on why the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner was absent from the game, as he said:

“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”.

Rodri, who suffered an ACL injury last season, missed the entirety of the campaign and returned to action when City started their FIFA Club World Cup campaign earlier this season.

However, despite the start of a new season, the midfielder has been struggling to maintain full fitness as he also missed the first game of the season.

Meanwhile, the recent setback is now another concern for Guardiola as the new season hasn’t started on a positive note, as City currently languish in seventh place and will need to continue their winning streak if they are to contend for the title this term.

Fans will hope that the midfielder only had a minor pain and will return for their next game against AS Monaco in the Champions League. But it remains to be seen when the midfielder will return back to action.

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