Rodri Returns to Manchester City Training After Serious
Knee Injury; Guardiola Urges Caution
MANCHESTER, UK – Manchester City received a
significant boost this week with the return of midfield maestro Rodri to full
first-team training at the City Football Academy (CFA). This marks a crucial
step in his recovery from the serious anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury
sustained in the Premier League match against Arsenal in September 2024. The
return of the current Ballon d'Or holder , a central figure in Pep Guardiola's
tactical setup, is welcome news for the club, although the Catalan manager has
urged caution regarding his imminent return to competitive action. As City
looks to secure a top-five league finish and prepares for the FA Cup final,
Rodri's reintegration, even if gradual, injects optimism into the club.
The Awaited Return
Visual confirmation of Rodri's progress came on Wednesday,
April 30, 2025, when the Spanish midfielder was photographed actively
participating in the training session open to the press, working with the ball
and interacting with teammates. Sources like Sky Sports News indicated that
this was not his first session back on the pitch, but rather part of a gradual
reintegration process that has been ongoing recently, signaling consistent
progress after months of intensive rehabilitation.
Coincidentally, striker Erling Haaland also returned to
training this week, recovering from an ankle injury sustained in March.
However, it is Rodri's return that captures more attention, given the severity
of the injury (ACL) and the long duration of his absence, dating back to
September 2024.
During his long recovery period, Rodri remained a regular
and popular presence at the club's facilities. He was often seen watching
training sessions at the CFA and attending matches at the Etihad Stadium on
game days, demonstrating a strong bond with the team even while unable to play.
Pep Guardiola had previously publicly expressed how much he appreciated having
the midfielder around, stating he "loved" seeing him back with the
group, even just as a spectator. This connection and commitment reinforce his
importance to the dressing room, which extends beyond his undeniable qualities
on the pitch. The mere presence of a player of his caliber and status – a
Ballon d'Or winner – back in the daily training environment inevitably serves as
a psychological boost for the entire squad, lifting morale at a crucial stage
of the season.
Seven Months Out: The Injury and Recovery
Rodri's prolonged absence began on September 22, 2024,
during Manchester City's 2-2 draw with Arsenal in the Premier League at the
Etihad Stadium. The midfielder suffered a serious knee injury later confirmed
as an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, one of the most feared injuries in
football due to the complexity and length of recovery.
The severity of the injury required surgery, performed in
Madrid shortly after the incident. The initial prognosis, shared by Pep
Guardiola, indicated an estimated recovery period of seven to eleven months.
Rodri's return to training at the end of April/early May 2025 thus places him
within the predicted timeframe, closer to the lower end of the estimate.
After surgery, Rodri began his rehabilitation in Spain,
later returning to Manchester to continue the process at the club's facilities,
where he once again became a regular figure in the team's daily life. The
timing of the injury, occurring so early in the season (September) and against
a direct title rival (Arsenal), had a critical impact on City's aspirations.
Losing their midfield pillar for the vast majority of the campaign was a
significant factor in the team's inability to keep pace with Liverpool, who
eventually won the Premier League title, ending City's run of four consecutive
titles.
Guardiola's Word: Optimism with Caution
In the press conference previewing the match against
Wolverhampton Wanderers, Pep Guardiola expressed his satisfaction at having
Rodri and Haaland back in training sessions. The coach mentioned that Rodri
"feels really good" , conveying a sense of optimism about his
progress.
However, Guardiola was quick to temper expectations,
especially regarding Rodri, emphasizing the need for maximum caution due to the
nature of the ACL injury and the long recovery period. The manager stressed the
vital importance of avoiding any setbacks: "We have to make the step right
to avoid making a step backwards and being injured again. That's why you need
to be careful".
Guardiola made it clear that the decision on Rodri's return
to competitive minutes will depend solely on the green light from the club's
medical team. "The moment the physio and doctor say that Rodri can start
to play minutes... But the doctors have to tell me... When the doctor says
Rodri is stable and he can play, after that he is going to come back".
This reliance on clinical opinion was reiterated several times, indicating that
the process is rigorously controlled and based on risk and stability
assessments.
In contrast, regarding Haaland, Guardiola suggested that
Friday's game against Wolves (May 2) would be premature. Although the Norwegian
is "getting better" , Rodri's situation requires added patience,
considering the initial prognosis of 7 to 11 months. The coach acknowledged the
player's desire to return ("Rodri wants [to play]") , but reinforced
that the final decision rests with the doctors, demonstrating an approach that
prioritizes the athlete's long-term health. This stance reflects a calculated
risk management approach by Guardiola. Aware of Rodri's immense value, the
coach prioritizes his future availability, especially with the Club World Cup
on the horizon, over rushing his return for the final domestic games, at a time
when the league title is already decided.
The Linchpin: Rodri's Impact on City
Rodri's importance to Manchester City's machinery is
undeniable and widely recognized. His absence has been cited as one of the key
factors in the team's struggles this season, culminating in the loss of the
Premier League title. During his absence, the team displayed uncharacteristic
defensive vulnerability and midfield fragility.
Described as the "midfield anchor" ,
"midfield powerhouse" , and "tactical linchpin" , Rodri is
fundamental for providing defensive cover, dictating the tempo of the game,
breaking up opposition attacks, and initiating City's build-up play.
His impact is also visible in statistics. Sky Sports notes
that City are three times more likely to lose a game without Rodri. The
Manchester Evening News corroborates this, citing a Premier League win rate of
74.1% with Rodri on the pitch (in 174 games) compared to 54% in the 50 games
without him since his arrival.
Manchester City Premier League Performance With vs.
Without Rodri (Since 2019/20)
|
Metric |
With Rodri (174 games) |
Without Rodri (50 games) |
|
Win Percentage |
74.1% |
54.0% |
|
Loss Probability |
Lower |
3x Higher (approx.) |
Exportar para Sheets
His global influence was crowned with the Ballon d'Or award
in 2024, an accolade he received while already injured. Furthermore, he was the
hero of the 2023 Champions League final, scoring the winning goal. Rodri's
prolonged absence ultimately exposed a considerable dependence of Guardiola's
system on his unique qualities. The difficulty in finding a suitable internal
replacement and the resulting tactical imbalances (defensive vulnerability,
affected build-up play) suggest that City lacked an effective Plan B to cope
with the absence of their singular defensive midfielder. The way the team
struggled to maintain control and stability without him demonstrates how
integral he has become to the success of Guardiola's playing philosophy.
Looking Ahead: FA Cup and Club World Cup on the Horizon
With Rodri back in training, the question arises as to when
he might return to competition. Manchester City still have a few Premier League
games remaining: Wolves (May 2), Southampton (May 10), Bournemouth (home), and
Fulham (away, May 25). Additionally, the team will contest the FA Cup final
against Crystal Palace at Wembley on May 17.
However, Guardiola's cautious stance and the typical
recovery time for ACL injuries make a return for these final domestic games or
the FA Cup final unlikely, though not entirely ruled out if progress is
exceptionally rapid and medical approval is granted.
Several sources point to the new and expanded FIFA Club
World Cup, scheduled in the United States starting mid-June 2025, as the
"most realistic target" for Rodri's return to competition. City's
first match is set for June 18 against Wydad AC, followed by encounters with Al
Ain and Juventus in the group stage. The final decision, as Guardiola
emphasized, will always rest with the medical team, based on the stability of
the player's knee.
Although the Premier League title is lost, securing a
Champions League spot (requiring a top-five finish ) and winning the FA Cup
remain important objectives for the end of the domestic season. Rodri's
eventual return, even if only for the Club World Cup, is seen as crucial for
finishing the season strongly and building positive momentum for future
challenges. The consistent reference to the Club World Cup as the primary
target for Rodri's return suggests the strategic importance the club and
Guardiola place on this new global competition. Directing the recovery of their
most influential player towards this tournament, rather than risking him in the
final domestic games, indicates a clear ambition to win this trophy and
justifies the prudent approach to his reintegration.
Rodri's return to Manchester City training is undoubtedly
the most positive news for the club in recent months. After a long and arduous
recovery from a serious ACL injury, the presence of the Ballon d'Or winner back
on the pitch is an encouraging sign. However, caution prevails, with Pep Guardiola
emphasizing the need to follow medical advice to avoid setbacks. Rodri's
absence demonstrated his vital importance to City's structure and success, and
his return, though likely not in time to influence the outcome of the domestic
season, is eagerly awaited for the Club World Cup and the upcoming season. The
careful management of his reintegration reflects the club's long-term vision,
prioritizing the future availability of their key player for major
international stages.
.jpeg)
0 Comentários