RODRI is expected to miss the rest of the season in a shock blow for Manchester City.
City’s key midfielder reportedly suffered torn cruciate ligaments in Sunday’s 2-2 home draw against Arsenal.
Rodri famously went 74 games unbeaten for Pep Guardiola’s champions, a 475-day run only ended by FA Cup final defeat to Manchester United in May this year.
But he went down in agony just EIGHT seconds into a dramatic Premier League match, forcing a long delay,
The anchorman, 28, was eventually able to continue before being hurt again in a freak incident midway through the first half.
This time Rodri had to be replaced by Mateo Kovacic.
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Now Spanish outlet AS say initial tests on Monday suggest their countryman’s injury is worse than City were hoping.
AS reckon the Euro 2024 winner is likely to sit out the rest of the campaign as tests revealed a serious ligament problem.
However, it’s understood Rodri will head to Madrid for a “complete check-up” to see the full extent of his damage.
John Stones’ 98th-minute equaliser against the 10-man Gunners put City back on top of the Prem, one point clear of Liverpool and Aston Villa.
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But despite having a huge squad, Rodri is one of the few players, ability-wise, who Guardiola will struggle to replace.
The former Atletico Madrid hero must have thought his week could not have got worse after collapsing, holding his face, straight after kick-off on Sunday.
VAR analysed the incident and ruled that Arsenal midfielder Kai Havertz’s collision with Rodri had been accidental.
However, 20 minutes later, the 57-cap Spaniard was reeling once more, seemingly following a collision with Gunners’ counterpart Thomas Partey.
And 24 hours on from that Rodri and City got the medical news they least wanted.
Arsenal ratings vs Man City
TEN-MAN Arsenal came desperately close to beating Man City.
Unfortunately for Mikel Arteta’s men, John Stones popped up in the 98th minute to score an equaliser with the match ending 2-2.
Here’s how the players rated…
DAVID RAYA – 9
Well beaten for Haaland’s opener but continued his impressive start to the season with some super second half stops – notably from Haaland and Gvardiol.
RICARDO CALAFIORI – 8
A full debut the Italian won’t forget. Didn’t get close enough to Savinho for the opening goal but made amends with his stunning long range curler to level it.
GABRIEL – 9
Planted one header over but made no mistake with his second one just before the break to score for the second straight weekend.
WILLIAM SALIBA – 8
Clattered by Haaland early on and lost the Norwegian for City’s goal – but dusted himself down and led the rearguard action for the visitors superbly.
JURRIEN TIMBER – 8
Asked to play an unfamiliar role on the right but did a great job for his boss keeping the livewire Doku quiet – and did fine when Pep changed it around too.
GABRIEL MARTINELLI – 7
Caused Walker plenty of problems in the first half. Played the ball back for Calafiori to score and teed up another great chance for Trossard.
DECLAN RICE – 7
Helped Arsenal work their way back into the game after early onslaught – and protected the back four so well when City were camped on the edge of the box.
THOMAS PARTEY – 7
Quick thinking from free-kick led to equaliser – also involved in the collision with Rodri that changed the course of the game.
BUKAYO SAKA – 6
Always a threat with his corners – not least when Arsenal got their second. Subbed at the break to make way for an extra defender.
LEANDRO TROSSARD – 4
Steered good chance over. Booked for pulling back Savinho then a second yellow for barge on Silva and then delaying the restart. Stupid from the Belgian.
KAI HAVERTZ – 7
Early collision with Rodri and caused a few problems in the first half but then had to focus on helping his 10 man team out defensively.
SUBS
WHITE – 7
(For Saka 46) – Thrown on to shore up the defence at the break – and did exactly that.
KIWIOR – 6
(For Calafiori 74 )– Gave the Italian a rest for the final few minutes and kept it tight.
JESUS – 6
(For Martinelli 87) – Some good pressing against his old team in the closing minutes
LEWIS SKELLY – 6
(For Timber 90) – Good experience for the youngster but was bizarrely booked before even coming on for his debut.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
