This is why we tried to be gentle – Guardiola on Rodri injury

After he slowed off in the first half of Sunday’s victory over Brentford, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola hopes Rodri won’t be sidelined for more than “two or three weeks.”

Rodri’s injury occurred within the first 20 minutes of play at Gtech Community Stadium, where he missed the majority of last season due to a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

As Nico Gonzalez took the place of the midfielder, he looked devastated as he left the field.

Guardiola reaffirmed that it is “muscular.” Because he is such a crucial player, “Of course I don’t want to lose him [at all].”

We made an effort to look after him, but it is still there.

Since the 2023-24 season, the Spain international has only played 15 games and missed last weekend’s 5-1 victory over Burnley due to knee pain.

Rodri told Sky Sports, “I did feel a little in the hamstring, but it seems like it’s not that much.”

Two days after retiring the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner from City’s 2-2 draw with Monaco in the Champions League, Guardiola was asked about the 29-year-old’s fitness at his pre-game press conference on Friday.

Rodri had already left after Eric Dier’s late penalty, but Guardiola claims Guardiola’s late injury on Sunday validated his decision to send him off at Stade Louis II.

“I was right, no”? he informed Sky Sports. You questioned why I didn’t play him 90 minutes apiece. Why do I replace him, the journalists always inquire.

We tried to play him for 60 to 65 minutes because of this.