Pep Guardiola reveals how Rodri feels after serious knee injury – Remains confident of ‘good’ Manchester City season

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola remains confident of a ‘good’ season despite the injury blow sustained by Rodri on Sunday afternoon.

The Spanish international becomes the latest in a growing list of injury problems struck upon the Manchester City first-team squad this season, with the absentees list for the weekend’s meeting with Newcastle United currently stood at four players.

Rodri’s ligament damage in his right knee will leave him out for several months, as the 28-year-old joins Kevin De Bruyne (groin), Nathan Ake (hamstring), and Oscar Bobb (fracture) on the treatment table for the weekend and potentially longer.

The absence of the Ballon d’Or contender in Rodri has left many Manchester City fans not only concerned for the midfielder himself and how he will come to terms with a lengthy absence, but also the effect it will have on the team’s ability to compete for major honours this season.

Speaking after the 2-1 win over Watford in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, Pep Guardiola confirmed he has spoken with Rodri since the serious knee injury sustained on Sunday afternoon, but confirmed the player is ‘OK’ despite a significant personal setback.

When asked whether the midfielder is ‘devastated’, Guardiola responded, “No, he’s OK. He’s strong. He’s sad, of course, and waiting for the final decision [from doctors] and what he has to do.”

Asked whether he is confident that Manchester City can still have a ‘good season’ without the services of the Spaniard, Guardiola said, “We don’t want it, but we will have a good season. I trust a lot in my players. I have the duty to find a solution. Rodri is irreplaceable.

“When a team doesn’t play with the best midfielder in the world for a long, long time, of course it is a big, big blow for us.

“But it’s football, it’s happened, but my duty is to find a solution, to be competitive like we have been for many years and continue to be there, to be a problem for our opponents.”

Among the possible solutions to the absence of Rodri in defensive midfield will be Mateo Kovacic, who has started most of Manchester City’s opening games ahead of the Spaniard in defensive midfield so far this season.

Having previously revealed the lengths to which he has gone in order to understand the role better in Pep Guardiola’s side, the Croatia international has performed to an exceptionally high standard and showcased the ability to transition play from defence to attack well.

Supporting the experienced midfielder will likely be Rico Lewis and John Stones, both of whom can invert from a right-back role into defensive midfield when Manchester City are in possession of the ball.