Soccer star Rodri will be unable to participate in the season's opening games due to a recent injury.
Manchester City's midfielder Rodri is set to miss the beginning of the Premier League season after suffering a groin injury during the Club World Cup. The international break in early September is hoped to be the time when Rodri will be fully fit, according to manager Pep Guardiola.
Before the international break, Manchester City will face Wolverhampton Wanderers, Tottenham Hotspur, and Brighton & Hove Albion. The Premier League season for Manchester City begins on August 16 with an away game against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Guardiola expressed hope that Rodri can play a few minutes in the games before the international break, but emphasized caution to avoid setbacks. The manager revealed the injury to the press via the Press Association, stating that Rodri has been feeling better for the past couple of days but is not yet fully fit.
Rodri missed most of the previous season due to a knee ligament injury and only recently returned to the starting lineup after a nine-month absence, in the Club World Cup final in late June. However, his recovery timeline is expected to extend beyond the September international break.
Expert analysis suggests Rodri may not return to his peak form until the end of 2025 or early 2026, making a swift comeback unrealistic. The most important thing for Rodri's recovery, according to Guardiola, is to ensure he does not get reinjured.
After this international break, City face key matches including the Manchester United derby on September 13 and an away trip to Arsenal a week later. Manchester City lost to Al-Hilal from Saudi Arabia in the quarter-finals of the Club World Cup, where Rodri sustained his groin injury.
The international break is scheduled for three matchdays from the start of the Premier League season. The league's first pause for international matches is scheduled for early September.
In the meantime, Manchester City will have to rely on other midfielders to fill the void left by Rodri. The team will aim to maintain their strong form and challenge for the Premier League title despite his absence.
[1] BBC Sport. (2023). Rodri injury blow for Man City as midfielder set for lengthy layoff. [online] Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/65036569
[2] Sky Sports. (2023). Man City's Rodri out for 'several months' with groin injury. [online] Available at: https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11293/12479298/man-citys-rodri-out-for-several-months-with-groin-injury
[3] The Guardian. (2023). Rodri injury: Pep Guardiola confirms Man City midfielder will miss start of season. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2023/aug/10/rodri-injury-pep-guardiola-confirms-man-city-midfielder-will-miss-start-of-season
- Man City's manager, Pep Guardiola, has expressed concerns about Rodri's availability for the opening games of the Premier League season due to a groin injury suffered during the Club World Cup.
- The Premier League season commences on August 16, with an away game against Wolverhampton Wanderers for Manchester City, and Rodri's recovery timeline appears to extend beyond the September international break.
- Following the international break in early September, crucial matches for Manchester City include the Manchester United derby on September 13 and an away game against Arsenal a week later, but the team will have to manage without Rodri's presence due to his prolonged recovery.
- As Rodri undergoes treatment, Manchester City will need to rely on other midfielders to fill the void and maintain their aspirations for the Premier League title.
