This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…Man City journalist Sam Lee has stated it could be a “blessing in disguise” that Rodri may miss the crucial fixture against Liverpool. What did he say?
da cassino： City will clash with league leaders on November 10 and it is set to be an early battle for what looks like another long and tense title race. The current Premier League champions are six points behind Liverpool and a win for the Reds could put them a comfortable nine points ahead.
da 888casino： City are likely to be without Rodri, after the Spaniard injured his hamstring against Atalanta in midweek. Lee, however, does not think this is overly damaging, quite the opposite in fact.
Speaking in a Q&A for The Athletic, he said: “Blessing in disguise giving the relatively minor problems with his pressing? Obviously he’s been very good overall, but against Liverpool that’s not the kind of fault you want to have.
“Would’ve liked to see how he fared at CB but that would’ve been risky too (obviously he would’ve had 3-4 games beforehand to get ready, which he won’t now have). ” Guardiola has enough numbers
If this injury had happened a few weeks back, it would have been utterly disastrous, as John Stones, Aymeric Laporte and Nicolas Otamendi were all sidelined. Now, however, both Stones and Otamendi are fit and available, although the Frenchman will be out for some time.
Fernandinho could also step in at centre-back alongside John Stones and push Ilkay Gundogan back into defensive-midfield. This is Pep Guardiola’s best option and should be one that gives City supporters great confidence.
Gundogan has been in brilliant form for City since arriving from Borussia Dortmund, with the German scoring six times and providing three assists in the league last year. Plus, the return of Stones could be perfectly timed as the former Everton man looks to prove he has what it takes to be a consistent starter for the champions.
In truth, no injury is a positive one. But not playing Rodri in this game could make the more experienced members of the team step up defensively against an almighty Liverpool attack, and spare the Spaniard from the worst possible team to face up against if you are struggling against pressing teams.