Manchester City returned to winning ways with a composed 2–0 victory over Sunderland at the Etihad — their first clean sheet since early November — yet the result arrived alongside fresh anxiety. Rodri, the team’s irreplaceable midfield anchor and Ballon d’Or winner, was again unavailable, raising doubts over whether he will feature in Wednesday’s monumental Champions League clash away to Real Madrid.
Pep Guardiola’s reluctance to provide clarity on Rodri’s fitness has only heightened concern. The Spaniard tore his ACL early last season before returning ahead of the Club World Cup, but repeated muscular issues this campaign have disrupted any chance of rhythm. With Madrid looming and City aiming to reassert their dominance in Europe, the uncertainty could hardly come at a more precarious moment.
Midfield partner Mateo Kovacic remains an even bigger worry. After summer Achilles surgery and a recent setback, the Croatian has been pictured on crutches and wearing a protective boot, leaving supporters fearing he may not play again until the late stages of the season.
Below is the latest on both players as City prepare for one of their defining European nights.
Rodri: Guardiola waiting for Madrid to make final call
Rodri has featured for just one competitive minute since aggravating a hamstring injury in October’s win over Brentford. His attempted return — a short cameo against Bournemouth on 2 November — proved premature, and he has not appeared since.
Guardiola was asked before the Sunderland victory if Rodri was fit to start. His reply was typically guarded:
“No, but he is getting better.” — Pep Guardiola
Pressed on whether Rodri would be fit for Wednesday’s trip to the Bernabéu, Guardiola offered a telling postscript:
“Ask me in Madrid.” — Guardiola
City’s final pre-match media session on Tuesday evening will provide the definitive update. Internally, the coaching staff are said to be balancing the temptation to risk him with the fear of aggravating the injury further.
Potential return date: Wednesday 10 December vs Real Madrid (A)
Mateo Kovacic: setback and uncertainty after protective boot image
Kovacic’s summer Achilles surgery slowed his pre-season integration, but hopes were rising when he managed a 30-minute Champions League cameo against Villarreal in late October. Since then, however, his recovery has halted.
On 3 December, Kovacic posted an Instagram photo from the training ground — balancing a football on his head while using crutches and wearing a large protective boot. Guardiola later revealed the troubling context:
“He will be out for a while. There is calcification still on the ankle. We’ll wait on him for the last part of the season.” — Pep Guardiola
This setback effectively rules him out of City’s winter schedule and places significant strain on the squad’s midfield depth.
Potential return date: Unknown
Analysis: How Rodri and Kovacic’s absences disrupt City’s structure
From my experience covering Guardiola’s City, Rodri’s influence extends far beyond possession play — he is the stabilising axis in defensive transitions, the trigger for City’s rest-defence structure, and the psychological anchor around which teammates build confidence. Without him, City lose not just control, but identity.
It’s worth questioning whether Guardiola can afford to start him in Madrid if the medical staff are not fully convinced. A re-injury would be catastrophic for the remainder of the season.
Kovacic’s absence compounds the issue. His ability to receive under pressure and progress possession was intended to complement Rodri, particularly in European matches where City face aggressive presses. With both absent, Guardiola must turn to less experienced or less natural options — a tactical compromise in the Champions League knockout race.
Key Insights
- Rodri remains a major doubt for the Real Madrid clash despite slow improvement.
- Guardiola has offered no firm timeline, saying only: “Ask me in Madrid.”
- Mateo Kovacic is in a protective boot due to ankle calcification and out long-term.
- City’s midfield depth is stretched at a critical point of the season.
- A positive Rodri update could change the entire outlook of Wednesday’s match.
What’s Next?
Manchester City hold their pre-match press conference on Tuesday evening, where Guardiola is expected to give the clearest update yet on Rodri’s availability. The squad then travels to Madrid for a match that may define the trajectory of their European campaign.
👉 City fans — would you risk Rodri in Madrid, or save him for the Premier League run-in?
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