Pep Guardiola’s update on Rodri injury ahead of Man City’s Champions League clash vs Copenhagen

The midfielder missed Manchester City’s win over Manchester United on Sunday.
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Pep Guardiola has admitted he doesn’t know if Rodri will be available for Manchester City’s Champions League game against Copenhagen on Wednesday.

The midfielder missed the weekend win over Manchester United as the Blues netted six against their bitter rivals.

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Prior to the derby, Rodri was one of just five City players who had started all seven Premier League matches this season, while no outfield member of the squad had managed more minutes than the Spaniard.

But Guardiola revealed in the build-up to the derby that Rodri was missing due to ‘more than niggles in his legs’ and Ilkay Gundogan occupied the role at the base of midfield which is usually reserved for Rodri.

Speaking after the derby, Guardiola said he is uncertain how long the Spain international will be absent for.

Rodri missed his first league game of the season at the weekend. Credit: Getty.Rodri missed his first league game of the season at the weekend. Credit: Getty.
Rodri missed his first league game of the season at the weekend. Credit: Getty.

“There are many games and the next game against Copenhagen we are going to rotate the team,” he explained.

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“It’s [matches every] three days, three days, three days. Kalvin [Phillips] is injured for a long time and Rodri, I don’t know when he will come back.”

City beat their old foes by three goals on Sunday. Credit: Getty.City beat their old foes by three goals on Sunday. Credit: Getty.
City beat their old foes by three goals on Sunday. Credit: Getty.

Without Rodri, City may have to stick with the midfield three of Gundogan, Bernardo Silva and Kevin De Bruyne, although Julian Alvarez is an option in an advanced role.

Phillips’ injury is also an untimely one for Guardiola, with the former Leeds United man undergoing surgery on a recurring shoulder injury during the recent international break.

Guardiola’s comments about rotation also imply that there could be several changes in midweek for the Copenhagen clash, with Ruben Dias, Aymeric Laporte, Sergio Gomez, Riyad Mahrez and Julian Alvarez among five who could be introduced to the side.