MANCHESTER.- The midfielder of Manchester CityRodri, will miss the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on the anterior cruciate ligament on Friday.
The Spanish international also has damage to his meniscus.
“This season is over (for him). We received the worst (possible news), but that’s how it is,” acknowledged City coach Pep Guardiola. “We are there to support you in your recovery, step by step and move forward.”
Rodri injured his right knee in Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Arsenal.
An ACL injury can take six months to a year to heal.
This news will surely be a blow for City, who are looking to win an unprecedented fifth consecutive Premier League title.
“We don’t have a similar player, but the rest of the players together can replace what Rodri has given since he arrived with us,” admitted Guardiola. “We have to do it as a team and we will find a way to play for many months without one of our most important players.”
Rodri’s importance to the team became clear at the end of the previous season, when the team lost four of nine games without him. In comparison, City lost one of 50 games with him playing.
In addition, he helped Spain win the European Championship this summer and is among the favorites for the Ballon d’Or.
Although he was ruled out for the rest of the season, Guardiola acknowledged that it will likely take him even longer to return to fitness.
“You need to be careful with this injury. In nine months, a year later, you have problems, probably muscle problems. So that’s why it takes more time. “I think Rodri will be the best again, not only after eight, nine months.”
More fuel to the fire
Rodri’s injury occurred after Guardiola warned last week that the best players could go on strike due to the number of matches they have been asked to play with the new competitions in an already crowded football calendar, in addition to They added more matches to the existing tournaments.
The modified Club World Cup led to a lawsuit from some members of the players’ union.
On Tuesday, Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag said the risk of injuries to his best players was “virtually inevitable” due to increasing demand.
City faces Newcastle on Saturday and will also be without Kevin De Bruyne, who is recovering from an apparent strain he suffered last week against Inter Milan.
