PREMIER LEAGUE
What’s Man City’s record with and without Rodri? Premier League, Champions League
Pep Guardiola’s team is quietly sounding the alarm following the serious injury to a key player in the record-breaking champions.
Rodri was forced to leave the game against Arsenal after sustaining an injury that immediately raised concerns at Manchester City. The key midfielder in Pep Guardiola’s system went down in the Gunners’ penalty area, writhing in pain following a challenge with Thomas Partey.
How bad is Rodri’s injury?
Early indications suggest that the knee injury suffered by the Spanish international does not look promising, potentially jeopardising his availability for the remainder of the season, just five league games and one Champions League game in. His reaction, visibly in distress, left the Etihad Stadium in stunned silence as fans feared the worst.
Although an official diagnosis has yet to be confirmed, the fear is that the backbone of the team may not be able to continue providing his vital presence throughout the season. To truly understand Rodri’s importance to the club, a look at his statistics is essential.
Rodri is clearly a key figure in the way Guardiola had had success, consistently leading in metrics such as passes completed, ball recoveries, and defensive duels won. He has played more minutes than almost any other City player, often serving as the linchpin in both defence and attack. His ability to dictate the tempo of the game, shield the backline, and contribute offensively makes him almost irreplaceable. His absence will leave a significant gap in the midfield, potentially impacting their overall stability and tactical balance.
Man City with Rodri
Since his arrival in 2019, Rodri’s impact on the field has been undeniable. Out of the 260 matches he’s played for the Manchester club, Guardiola’s side has won 74% of their games, drawn 15%, and lost just 11%. These numbers highlight the Spanish midfielder’s influence, as his presence in the lineup has been a key factor in City’s consistency and dominance across multiple competitions. Even English gem Phil Foden described Rodri as the champions’ “most important player.”
Man City without Rodri
Rodri has proven to be a true talisman for Manchester City. Without him on the pitch, the team has only won 64% of their matches, drawn 11%, and lost 24%. In this Premier League season, Rodri missed the first three matches and had only just returned for the game against Brentford before featuring against Arsenal, where he managed to play just 21 minutes before his injury.
Now, both Rodri and City must await the official diagnosis to determine when he can return to action. In the meantime, Guardiola will face the challenge of adjusting his tactical setup, searching for possible replacements to take on the Spaniard’s crucial responsibilities in midfield. His absence could force City to reshuffle their lineup to maintain their usual dominance on the field.
Who could replace Rodri at Man City?
The names of Mateo Kovacic, Ilkay Gundogan, and John Stones are seen as the most likely candidates to replace Rodri as City’s defensive midfielder.
Kovacic has already filled in for Rodri and is adapting well to the role, possibly becoming a long-term option. Gundogan has experience playing as a holding midfielder and could step in again, but his age may limit his effectiveness in this demanding position, especially against the very best. Stones, while occasionally playing in midfield, faces challenges due to his injury history and lack of consistent experience in this role.
While each has strengths, none are perfect replacements for Rodri, but no doubt Pep has always known this situation may occur and will have plans in place for each opponent, both domestically and abroad.