Manchester City’s ambitions of retaining the Premier League title could face a significant hurdle as they brace for the possibility of losing their midfield lynchpin, Rodri, to suspension in the coming weeks.
The Spanish international has been an ever-present figure in City’s pursuit of domestic and European glory this season, with Pep Guardiola’s side yet to taste defeat when Rodri has graced the pitch. However, his disciplinary record threatens to derail City’s title charge at a crucial juncture.
Rodri has already accumulated eight yellow cards this campaign, leaving him perilously close to a two-match ban should he receive another two bookings in the next three Premier League fixtures. This potential absence could prove costly for City, who have already dropped points in a goalless draw against title rivals Arsenal on Sunday.
“Rodri is yet to taste defeat when he has been on the pitch for his club this season, and Guardiola’s side will visibly struggle without him,” observed football analysts, Keifer MacDonald and Isaac Johnson on Tuesday. “The only four times the club has lost this season is when the Spaniard wasn’t playing.”
The 26-year-old missed Premier League clashes against Wolves, Arsenal, and Aston Villa earlier in the season due to suspension, with City dropping valuable points in his absence.
Should Rodri receive his 10th yellow card before City’s 33rd league game, he would be ruled out for two crucial fixtures, potentially against Luton and Brighton or Brighton and Nottingham Forest.
“If Rodri gets a yellow card in the game against Aston Villa on Wednesday and again in the game against Crystal Palace on Saturday, he won’t be able to play in the league games against Luton and Brighton,” they warned.
While domestic suspensions no longer carry over to other competitions, allowing Rodri to feature in the FA Cup semi-final against Chelsea and the Champions League clashes with Real Madrid, his absence in the Premier League could prove pivotal.
As Arsenal continue to mount an intense title challenge, with their 2-1 victory over Brentford preceding City’s stalemate, Guardiola will be acutely aware of the importance of having his midfield enforcer available for the run-in.
