Manchester City will once again have to manage without midfield engine-room Rodri when they host Bayer Leverkusen in Tuesday’s crucial UEFA Champions League game at the Etihad Stadium.
Pep Guardiola confirmed the news on Monday, saying the Spaniard is close but not quite there yet, a reminder that City are being very careful not to rush him back too fast.
Rodri has had a bit of a stop-start season since returning from that nasty ACL injury back in September 2024. Just when it seemed he was finding rhythm again, a hamstring problem flared up after a short run-out against Bournemouth in early November. That setback kept him out of the Newcastle defeat, which has seen fans vocally backlash the team following the poor result.
Softfootball now reports that he will be missing the Leverkusen match too. Guardiola mentioned as revealed By sports Expert Fabrizio Romano via his official X account, the 29-year-old is training kind of partially, but not enough to risk him in such an important game. The manager added, almost with a sigh, that the club needs a little more patience to make sure he’s really fine.
Fabrizio Posted:
City definitely feels his absence. Their midfield control and defensive shape tend to wobble a little without the presence and assurance of Rodri, as shown in that 2–1 loss to Newcastle where the rhythm went missing somewhere in the middle of the pitch.
Still, their Champions League form has been solid. They’re unbeaten with 10 points from four matches, and beating Leverkusen, who sit way down in 21st place in the league phase with five points, would seal qualification to the knockouts with a match still in hand.
Mateo Kovacic is also out with an ankle problem, meaning City will probably lean on Bernardo Silva and Nico González to hold things together in midfield. Up front, Erling Haaland, who amazingly has scored in every UCL game this season, leads the line once again.
With the match marking Guardiola’s 100th Champions League game in charge of City, there’s an extra bit of weight on the night. Rodri’s return is close but not promised, so City will have to trust the squad depth that’s gotten them this far.
