Pep Guardiola has announced that Rodri is likely to miss Manchester City‘s upcoming match against Burnley, but reassured fans that the midfielder’s groin injury should not sideline him for an extended period as they approach the title run-in.
A victory at Turf Moor on Wednesday would see City leap to the top of the table, closing in on Arsenal, who are currently just three points ahead following City’s win over Arteta’s team.
Rodri was taken off late during the match at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday and underwent tests for his groin issue on Monday.
While he is set to miss the Burnley clash, Guardiola remains optimistic about a swift recovery for the 29-year-old.
“I don’t think he will be ready for tomorrow, but we will assess him for the upcoming fixtures,” Guardiola stated. “Perhaps he could return for the FA Cup semifinal against Southampton [on Saturday], or maybe in 12 days against Everton.”
City is intent on maintaining their momentum in the title chase after a crucial 2-1 victory over Arsenal, and Guardiola cautioned his players against complacency in their upcoming match against a relegation-threatened Burnley.
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“We had a discussion immediately after the match – we must not lose our focus,” he emphasized. “Arsenal is currently leading the league and would be champions if the season ended now.
“The recovery time is significantly shorter than in recent weeks—it’s only a matter of days. That’s why it’s crucial to monitor how players recover both emotionally and physically. We need to go to Burnley and deliver the performance required, making necessary adjustments based on our game against Arsenal in order to secure the win.”