What knee issue, what workload? Rodri set to start as City visit Bernardo Silva's old place
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Reading Time: 3min | Wed. 01.10.25. | 15:26
Despite complaining about pain in his knee, Pep Guardiola will probably face Monaco tonight (10 pm) with the Spaniard in the starting XI
Driving a car with a flat tyre or brake issues is extremely risky, but driving a car without its engine is impossible.
That's why we'll likely see Manchester City's Rodri straight from the start on Wednesday night, as the Cityzens face AS Monaco (10 pm) in the second game of their UEFA Champions League campaign.
Although he urged caution with the Spaniard due to his knee problems just two days ago, Pep Guardiola is about to hand Rodri a place in the starting XI. Despite the concerns over his workload, Guardiola needs an operator like Rodri against a very inspired and technically gifted rival like Monaco.
Bernardo Silva's former side still can not use Paul Pogba in their midfield, but will be more than eager to knock down the giants in the Principality.
Tijjani Reijnders is expected to join Rodri in midfield, as is Bernardo Silva, while Phil Foden, Jeremy Doku, and Erling Haaland will put enormous pressure on Monaco's back line.
Abdukodir Khusanov will miss the tie due to an injury, just like Ryan Cherki and Rayan Ait-Nouri. Josko Gvardiol and Ruben Dias should build a strong basis in the back, along with resurrected Gianluigi Donnarumma, who has been in impressive form so far.
Rodri: “The reception from the fans that night [when I returned from injury], for me, was incredible. They were desperate for me to come back in the same way I was desperate to come back.
— City Report (@cityreport_) October 1, 2025
This love they showed me – and not just for me, for my girlfriend and for my family – for… pic.twitter.com/R9hBGzuUuT
"Now he's not injured," said Guardiola about Rodri at a news conference at Stade Louis II on Tuesday.
"He feels much better than the game before Burnley. He had a long injury. The day before Burnley, he did not feel fine.
"The week before was so demanding with United, Napoli, and especially Arsenal.
"And right now, if you ask me, my feeling right now is not able to play three games a week at top, top, top level. Top intensity. My feeling right now is that he's not ready."
UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE - MATCHDAY 2
Tuesday
Atalanta - Club Brugge 2-1 (0-1)
/Samardzic 73 pen, Pasalic 87 - Tzolis 38/
Kairat - Real Madrid 0-5 (0-1)
/Mbappe 25 pen, 52, 74, Camavinga 83, Diaz 90+3/
Atletico Madrid - Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1 (3-0)
/Raspadori 4, Le Normand 33, Griezmann 45+1, 68, Alvarez 82 pen - Burkardt 57/
Bodo/Glimt - Tottenham 2-2 (0-0)
/Hauge 53, 66 - Van de Ven 69, Richarlison 89/
Chelsea - Benfica 1-0 (1-0)
/Rios 18 og/
Galatasaray - Liverpool 1-0 (1-0)
/Osimhen 16 pen/
Inter - Slavia Prague 3-0 (2-0)
/Lautaro 30, 65, Dumfries 34/
Olympique Marseille - Ajax 4-0 (3-0)
/Paixao 6, 13, Greenwood 26, Aubameyang 53/
Pafos - Bayern 1-5 (1-4)
/Orsic 45 - Kane 15, 35, Guerreiro 21, Jackson 31, Olise 69/
Wednesday
19.45: (2.70) Qarabag (3.35) Copenhagen (2.60)
19.45: (3.50) St.Gilloise (3.45) Newcastle (2.10)
22.00: (1.20) Arsenal (6.75) Olympiakos (14.0)
22.00: (1.95) Barcelona (3.70) PSG (3.70)
22.00: (1.83) Dortmund (3.50) Ath.Bilbao (4.50)
22.00: (1.87) Leverkusen (3.60) PSV (4.20)
22.00: (6.75) Monaco (4.40) Man.City (1.48)
22.00: (1.90) Napoli (3.50) Sporting (4.10)
22.00: (2.35) Villareal (3.35) Juventus (3.05)
***odds are subject to change***
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