- Rodri suffered a serious injury in Manchester City’s dramatic 2-2 draw against Arsenal.
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Pep Guardiola confirmed that Manchester City will be without Rodri for the entire season after suffering a ligament injury last weekend.
In a blow to City’s hopes in the title race, the central midfielder underwent surgery in Madrid on Friday morning.
Guardiola suggested Rodri suffered injuries to his anterior cruciate and meniscus and warned City must be careful with his recovery to avoid further problems in the future.
City had received two expert opinions from the UK and Spain, hoping that initial fears about an ACL were unfounded.
“Their season is over,” Guardiola said. ‘Unfortunately he got the worst (result). But it is what it is. Unfortunately, at this level it happens. We are there to support him and he will recover step by step and move forward.
Rodri will miss the rest of the season after undergoing knee surgery on Friday in Madrid
Pep Guardiola confirmed that the midfielder ‘got the worst’ possible result from his injury
Rodri suffered a serious ligament injury in Manchester City’s dramatic draw against Arsenal last week.
‘When you have an ACL injury, it’s nine months and then you have muscle injuries the following season. We have magnificent players and we will find the solution.
“For us there are many months without an important player, everyone knows it.”
The Spaniard suffered serious ligament damage during the first half of City’s dramatic 2-2 draw against title rivals Arsenal last Sunday.
After deliberating with the club, Rodri opted to go to the operating table, with renowned sports surgeon Dr. Manuel Leyes performing the surgery, according to Spanish media Relevo.
The Spaniard is a highly regarded orthopedic surgeon within the Spanish football community and City have decided to support Rodri’s decision to be treated by him.
Real Madrid stars Thibaut Courtois, Eder Militao and Arda Guler underwent successful knee surgeries performed by the Spanish doctor.
The injury is a blow for the champions and Rodri has become a key part of their recent successes.
Last season, four of City’s five defeats in all competitions came when Rodri was absent through suspension or injury.
Rodri underwent surgery in Spain after traveling there on Monday to receive a special consultation
However, following the 2-1 victory over Watford in the Carabao Cup, Guardiola was unwilling to use Rodri’s prolonged absence as an excuse in his attempts to defend the Premier League title once again.
“We don’t want (Rodri’s injury), but we will still have a good season,” Guardiola said. ‘I trust my players a lot. I have a duty to find a solution.
“Rodri is irreplaceable and the team will not play with the best midfielder in the world for a long, long time. Of course it is a big blow for us.
“It’s football, it’s happened and my duty is to find a solution, to be competitive as we have been for many years.”
‘Rodri is not there, it is a problem. But complain? I feel sorry for him. Recover as best as possible, we are waiting for you, and we are going for it. This is the challenge. Go to Newcastle, try to win, do what we have done for many years. It’s that simple.
