Rodri offers reassurance after early substitution
Manchester City’s recent victory over Brentford may have raised short-term concerns but it ended with a measure of relief. The sight of Rodri signalling to the bench and walking off after just 22 minutes at the Gtech Community Stadium would have unsettled supporters used to his calm authority in midfield. Yet within hours came the words every fan wanted to hear. “I’m good,” said the Spaniard. “I felt a little bit in the hamstring but it seems like it’s not that much. The important thing was the victory.”
Rodri’s comments arrived like a tonic for a City side whose rhythm often mirrors his own. He explained that the substitution was precautionary, having felt a minor strain and choosing to withdraw rather than aggravate the issue. “I stretched the leg a little bit, a bit like in the Euros final,” he added. “It’s part of the process. The good thing about this is you get out, you don’t let the muscle stretch now.”
International withdrawal and recovery plan
Spain quickly confirmed that Rodri would not feature in their upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Georgia and Bulgaria. A statement from the Spanish federation read: “Rodrigo Hernandez has been withdrawn from the Spain squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Georgia in Elche and Bulgaria in Valladolid due to injury. The decision follows medical reports provided by his club to the RFEF medical staff, after he was substituted during Sunday’s match between Brentford and Manchester City.”
The midfielder plans to use the international break for rest and recovery rather than competition. “The good thing is the break so it will be even better in this sense to recover these days and hopefully I can be in the next game,” he said. City’s first fixture after the break is against Everton, and the expectation is that Rodri will be ready for selection.
Guardiola’s careful management paying off
Pep Guardiola’s handling of his key players has been deliberate in recent weeks. Rodri missed the 5-1 victory over Burnley but returned to face Monaco in midweek before starting again at Brentford. Guardiola acknowledged that managing the midfielder’s workload remains essential. “Everyone was wondering why I substituted Rodri against Monaco, and today everyone understood why,” he told reporters. “I don’t know how long he will be out; we are waiting for the tests.”
Rodri’s absence, however brief, underlines how integral he is to the structure and tempo of Guardiola’s system. His ability to dictate play, shield the defence and recycle possession with precision makes him one of City’s irreplaceable figures. That the player himself feels confident about a swift recovery provides not just medical reassurance but psychological calm for the squad.
City’s title momentum intact
Man City’s narrow 1-0 victory over Brentford kept them in strong domestic form heading into the break. Though their attacking fluidity fluctuated, their resilience remained intact, a sign that even without full strength the team continues to find ways to win. Rodri’s fitness boost could prove vital as the fixtures begin to tighten heading into the winter period.
While Guardiola’s system thrives on control and continuity, its success has always depended on players like Rodri knowing when to push and when to pause. In this case, a brief precautionary step back could ensure the midfielder’s long-term availability in a season where every detail counts.
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