Manchester City will travel to face Burnley on Wednesday without Rodri after a groin injury, but manager Pep Guardiola confirmed on Tuesday that the midfielder will not miss the rest of the season. Rodri picked up the issue late in the 2-1 win over Arsenal.
“I think for tomorrow he will not be ready,” Guardiola said. He ruled Rodri out of the Burnley match and indicated the club will reassess him for upcoming fixtures. “We’ll see for next games, the semi-final against Southampton or against Everton.” He kept the timeline open and linked any return to match readiness rather than a fixed date.
Rodri’s role in midfield has driven City’s recent form. He has built a stable partnership with Bernardo Silva, which has improved ball control and defensive coverage. Central midfielders in this system protect the defence by blocking passing lanes and recovering possession quickly.
“Both are experienced, they have a huge special personality,” Guardiola said. He emphasised their decision-making in high-pressure matches. “They are not young guys anymore, experienced guys, but played a lot of this type of games and know how it must be played. They were exceptional.” He linked their experience directly to consistent performance levels.
City will still need results to move above Arsenal in the table. “Both teams know we cannot lose or drop points,” Guardiola said. He acknowledged the pressure in the title race and the limited margin for error. “It will be difficult to recover and our calendar is so demanding. The opponents are really tough.” He highlighted the impact of a congested schedule and strong opposition.
City will face Southampton in the FA Cup semi-final before returning to league action against Everton.
