Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola commented on the current condition of midfielder Rodri during Friday's press conference. According to the Spanish tactician, the player does not yet feel fully fit or comfortable.
Rodri has missed the last few matches, including the clash against Everton. That game ended in a 3-3 draw, and the fact that Manchester City played quite disorganized in the second half did not go unnoticed by fans and experts.
Guardiola stated that Rodri's condition will be assessed again in the near future. He noted that the club's medical staff will check the player's readiness later today or tomorrow.
"Rodri still doesn't feel completely comfortable. We will assess his condition later today or tomorrow," said Guardiola.
At the same time, the City boss did not want to link the problems in the match against Everton to Rodri's absence. In his opinion, the team gifted chances to the opponent, and this cannot be justified by the absence of one player.
"Did Rodri's absence affect the disorganized play in the second half against Everton? No. We gave the opponent chances to score ourselves. It's not because Rodri wasn't on the pitch," the Spanish coach emphasized.
Guardiola's view shows that responsibility at Manchester City lies with the whole team, not just one player. Of course, Rodri is a key figure in the team's play. He maintains balance in the center, provides the link between attack and defense, and eases pressure from the opponent. But for Guardiola, this loss cannot be an excuse for mistakes.
At a top-level club like Manchester City, every player must feel responsible. Especially in the decisive phase of the season, even a small lack of focus can be costly. The 3-3 draw against Everton showed this once again.
Now all attention is focused on Rodri's recovery process and whether he is ready for the next match. On May 9, Manchester City will host Brentford. It is natural that Guardiola expects a much more organized, attentive, and composed performance from his players in this match.
If Rodri returns to the pitch, City's midfield will look more reliable. But even if he does not participate, the team must maintain its level. Because clubs contending for the title speak with results, not excuses.
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