3 Ways Manchester City Can Cope Without Rodri After Season Ending Injury
- Manchester City star Rodri is set to spend the rest of the 2024/25 season on the sidelines after sustaining an ACL injury
- The Spanish midfielder collided with Arsenal's Thomas Partey in Sunday's epic 2-2 draw at the Etihad
- Pep Guardiola will likely come up with ways to cope with Rodri's absence, including changing the formation
Manchester City were held to a 2-2 draw by Arsenal in a pulsating Premier League clash at the Etihad on Sunday.
The defending champions salvaged a 2-2 draw despite Arsenal's heroic defensive display. Arsenal played the second half with 10 men.
The match had several talking points including Rodri's season-ending injury and how his absence will deeply affect Man City's title defense.
Source: UGC
The Spanish midfielder is one of their best players and has played a crucial role in their recent success domestically and in Europe.
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On Sunday against the Gunners, he went off with an injury which didn't look as serious. Nevertheless, it was later reported in English media that he had sustained an ACL tear, which rules him out for the season.
The absence of the 2024 Ballon d'Or contender will be a huge blow for Pep Guardiola, who is attempting to win his fifth consecutive league title.
Therefore, the Spanish coach will have to devise several ways to cushion the blow. Here are three ways they can do that.
3 ways Man City can cope with Rodri's absence
Trust Mateo Kovacic to step up
An injury prevented Rodri from starting games this season. Kovacic has started in his place in all the four Premier League games before Arsenal. The treble winners won four straight games with the Croatian as a starter.
He played 69 minutes against the Gunners and had a passing accuracy of 95.3%. The Croatian is not better than Rodri but he has shown he can do some of Rodri's work effectively.
"I like always to play deeper," he said via Sporting News. "I like it together and I like when I have support. I haven't played so much there on my own. I think it's more difficult because you have to cover the space better because you're on your own, you're not in a two."
Bring in Martin Zubimendi in January
If Kovacic is not convincing in the first half of the season, Man City could sign Real Sociedad star Martin Zubimendi. The 25-year-old was close to joining Liverpool in the summer, but a deal never materialised, per Eurosport. He replaced Rodri at halftime in the Euro 2024 final and produced a sensational performance.
He has shown that he can effortlessly replace his compatriot and perform, especially in big moments. He has been ever-present for the Spanish club, and playing for a Spanish coach in Guardiola will make the transition smooth.
Formation adjustment
Having to throw away your formation early in the season is not ideal, but if they lose a key player, the coach has to adapt quickly. Guardiola is one of the greatest coaches in history, so adjusting to Rodri's absence won't be hard.
The former Barcelona coach employs a 4-1-4-1 formation with Rodri as the lone deep-lying midfielder. He could make it a 4-2-3-1 with two deep-lying midfielders or a 4-3-3 to beef up the middle of the park.
Rico Lewis and John Stones could probably do a job in midfield
Rodri's absence will probably be felt in the coming weeks as Man City try to adapt to playing without the Euro 2024 winner.
Rodri ruled out for the season
Earlier, Briefly News reported that Rodri was ruled out for the 2024/25 season after sustaining an ACL injury.
Although further tests are needed to confirm Rodri's ACL injury, sources in England indicate that he is likely facing an extended period on the sidelines.
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Source: TUKO.co.ke
