Pep Guardiola plays down fears Rodri’s absence will be another long one
Rodri was forced off during the second half of Manchester City's Premier League victory over Arsenal on Sunday. Pic: Martin Rickett/PA Wire.
Rodri will miss Manchester City’s midweek trip to Burnley but Pep Guardiola has played down fears that the Spain midfielder could miss an extended period in the Premier League title race.
Rodri was forced off in the second half of City’s critical 2-1 win over title rivals Arsenal on Sunday with a groin problem, and must sit out Wednesday’s trip to Turf Moor – where a win would see City go top of the table.
“I think for tomorrow he will not be ready,” Guardiola said of the Spain midfielder. “We’ll see for next games, the (FA Cup) semi-final against Southampton or against Everton (on May 4).”
Arsenal could have taken a massive step towards their first league crown since 2003-04 with victory at the Etihad, but a second consecutive league defeat has left Mikel Arteta’s men under intense scrutiny.
However, Guardiola insisted nothing has shifted in terms of the pressure on his own team.
“Both teams know what happened in the past,” he said. “Both teams know they cannot lose or drop points. It will be difficult to recover. Our calendar is so demanding, especially when we have the Everton game, when the opponents are really, really tough.
“It is more difficult (for the side chasing), mentally and physically. What happened after Arsenal, we have to go to Burnley and perform at the level we have to do.”
City’s exuberant celebrations after Sunday’s win were criticised by Wayne Rooney and Danny Murphy, but Guardiola insisted his own message to the players was to ensure they remain switched on for the rest of the season.
“We talked immediately in the dressing room after the game, do not lose the focus,” he said. “Arsenal is top of the league and right now, they would be the champions.
“Of course the recovery is much less than the last two weeks. It’s just three days. That is why I have to see how people are recovering.
“It’s a demanding game we had, both emotionally and physically. But at the same time, we have six games left. We know exactly what is going to happen, when we get the result or if we don’t get the result.”
Last week Bernardo Silva announced he will leave City this summer, but Guardiola had no news regarding the future of England defender John Stones, who is also out of contract at the end of the season.
The 31-year-old has been limited to only 15 appearances for City in an injury-disrupted campaign.
“The only thing I can say is that he is back already for two or three weeks training with us and this is the best news,” Guardiola said.
One defender hoping to be part of City’s squad next season is 20-year-old Vitor Reis, who earned a Brazil call-up last month after strong form on loan at Girona, and this week said he is aiming for “regular game time” in Manchester next season.
Guardiola said: “He faced the best strikers in Spain that are not easy to deal with and he grew up a lot. People in Girona are so pleased, happy, we are going to take a decision at the end of the season.”
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