Manchester City midfielder, Rodri, is finding it challenging to cope with the team’s demanding schedule as he recovers from a crucity ligament injury. This revelation comes from none other than Pep Guardiola, the team's manager.
Rodri was absent during Saturday’s victory over Burnley due to fitness concerns but is expected to be available for Wednesday's Champions League match against Monaco. The midfielder has been struggling with a tendon issue that isn't classified as an injury but poses difficulty in maintaining the rigorous routine of three games per week.
Guardiola expressed his concern about overloading Rodri at this stage of recovery and risking a recurrence of his previous injury. The player had suffered a significant setback last year when he injured himself during a game against Arsenal, leading to Manchester City’s form taking a hit.
Pep Guardiola, Manchester City manager, said:
“He is not injured but in the tendon he has a difficultly,” Guardiola said. “The week before was so demanding with [Manchester] United, Napoli and especially Arsenal and right now he’s not able to play three games in a week at a top, top, top level – top intensity, demanding opponents. My feeling right now is he is not ready because he needs time. This type of injury, it is minimum one year and after that you start. Be patient and he dictates. If he feels not good, it’s better to rest.”
Manchester City began their Champions League campaign on an optimistic note by securing victory over Napoli. A win against Monaco would bring them one step closer to qualifying for the knockout rounds. The team will be led by former Monaco midfielder Bernardo Silva who was appointed captain this summer following Kevin De Bruyne’s departure.
Challenges for Monaco ahead of clash with Manchester City
Monaco faces its own set of challenges ahead of their clash with Manchester City. They lost their opening Champions League fixture 4-1 against Club Brugge and were defeated 3-1 at Lorient recently.
Their head coach, Adi Hütter, will have limited options for selection due to key personnel being unavailable for the upcoming match which might force him into selecting a makeshift midfield lineup. Adding more woes is Paul Pogba's unavailability; despite joining on free transfer in summer after serving an 18-month doping ban, Pogba is still not fit enough to feature in the game.
As both teams prepare for their upcoming Champions League clash, it's clear that they each have their own hurdles to overcome. For Manchester City, managing Rodri's fitness will be crucial, while Monaco will need to strategize effectively despite missing key players. As sports fans and betting enthusiasts watch closely, this match promises to be a thrilling encounter with high stakes on both sides.
