Rodri has started partial training, and mcfc will assess him before deciding whether he can face Brentford on Saturday. Pep Guardiola said the midfielder still does not feel completely comfortable, leaving his status open until later in the week.
The match at Brentford is scheduled for 17:30 BST on Saturday, and City will not rush a player who has missed the last three games with a groin injury. Rodri has also spent additional time sidelined with a hamstring problem after a serious knee injury ruled him out for most of Manchester City’s 2024-25 campaign.
Guardiola Tracks Rodri
Guardiola said Rodri began partial training on Thursday and will be assessed before a decision is made. “We have survived without him for many, many months,” he said. “He still doesn't feel completely comfortable. He will be ready when he is fit - we will see on Friday afternoon or on Saturday.”
That timeline leaves City with one short window to judge whether Rodri can return against Brentford, or whether he is held back again. Guardiola is also hopeful the midfielder will be fully fit for the FA Cup final against Chelsea next Saturday and for league games against Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Aston Villa.
Rodri's City Record
Rodri has still featured in 35 games for club and country this season, and he played in Manchester City’s Carabao Cup final win against Arsenal. He won the Ballon d’Or in 2024, which underlines why his availability draws so much attention whenever a fitness issue appears.
Since his debut in August 2019, City have posted a better win percentage, scored more goals, conceded fewer goals and had more possession in Premier League matches when he plays than when he is absent. That is the backdrop to Guardiola’s caution now, with City five points behind league leaders Arsenal with a game in hand and coming off a 3-3 draw at Everton on Monday.
Arsenal And Everton
Rodri was forced off with the groin injury toward the end of City’s 2-1 victory over Arsenal in April, then missed the Premier League win over Burnley, the FA Cup semi-final win over Southampton and the draw at Everton. After that game, Guardiola said: “It doesn't depend on him. We gave the goals away but not because Rodri was not there.”
City finished the season without silverware for the first time in eight years, and Rodri’s next test now sits between a Saturday league trip and a possible return for Chelsea next weekend. If he passes the assessment on Friday afternoon or Saturday, Guardiola finally gets one of his most important midfield options back for a run that still has league points and a final on the line.
