Rodri and Haaland (©Getty Images)
Rodri and Haaland (©Getty Images)

A nightmare called Rodri – is the Spaniard injured again?

Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 29.09.25. | 09:52

Pep Guardiola gave a detailed explanation of why Rodri wasn’t on the pitch against Burnley

Manchester City were without Rodri in their clash with Burnley, as the midfielder reported a “lot of pain” in his right knee — the same one in which he suffered an ACL tear last year.

The 29-year-old Spaniard was left out of the squad for the Etihad fixture on Saturday, September 27. City still cruised to a 5-1 win, thanks to a late brace from Erling Haaland, a strike from Matheus Nunes, and two own-goals by Maxime Esteve.

After the game, Pep Guardiola explained the decision: “Rodri yesterday in training said, ‘I’m not able to play. I have a lot of pain in my knee, I cannot play, I cannot play.’ I said: ‘You cannot play, you don’t play. Another one is going to play.’”

Rodri’s injury troubles have been persistent. He tore his ACL in September 2024, sidelining him for the remainder of that domestic campaign. He came back for the Club World Cup this summer, only to pick up a groin problem that kept him out another six weeks.

His season debut came on August 23 in City’s 2-0 loss to Tottenham, followed by appearances against Brighton, Manchester United, Arsenal, and Napoli — the latter three packed into a single week.

Guardiola confirmed the discomfort was felt in the same knee and remained cautious about his availability for City’s Champions League trip to Monaco on Wednesday: “I don’t know yet, I don’t know.”

Against Burnley, Nico Gonzalez filled in for Rodri, just as Rico Lewis had done earlier in their Carabao Cup win over Huddersfield on September 24.



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English Premier LeagueManchester CityPep GuardiolaRodri

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