Guardiola in shock: Rodri leaves the pitch again

The playoff stage of the Club World Cup, taking place in the USA, ended unexpectedly dramatically for Manchester City. The leading English club suffered a defeat against Saudi Arabia's Al-Hilal in a very intense and heated match — the score was 3:4. Most disappointingly, the Mancunians missed their chance during extra time.

This loss became not only a frustration for fans, but also an additional headache for head coach Josep Guardiola. In his post-match comments, he openly stated that his main concern is Rodri’s condition.

The “Ballon d'Or” winner, Spanish midfielder Rodri — considered the heart of the team — missed most of last season due to injury. Loyal fans had been eagerly awaiting his return to the field, but in the match against Al-Hilal, everything had to be relived again.

Rodri entered the game in the 53rd minute from the bench. However, at the beginning of extra time, he was taken off the pitch again. According to Guardiola, the player felt discomfort again, and the situation requires serious attention.

— We need to take another look at Rodri’s condition. He complained again. He will need more time to fully recover, — said the coach at the press conference.

If this injury turns out to be serious, it could impact Manchester City’s summer transfer strategy. A player who can truly replace Rodri is very rare, which could disrupt the team’s overall balance.

The absence of players like Rodri can also determine a team’s fate in tournaments. What Manchester City's next steps will be and how long Rodri needs to recover will be known in the coming days.

For now, fans are left to comprehend what happened and hope for the quick return of their beloved midfielder. Because imagining Manchester City without Rodri is truly difficult. Read 'Zamin' on Telegram!