He is the deciding factor in the most crucial matches, turns his legs into a ‘vault’ securing the ball, rarely makes mistakes in passing, constantly offers solutions, takes responsibility, and finds cracks in the opponent’s lines… The ultimate solution – Rodri.Since Sunday’s derby against Arsenal, City fans have feared the worst, and it has unfortunately come true. Manchester City officially confirmed today that the Spanish visionary has suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament, and surgery is inevitable. This means that the English giants will have to defend their domestic title and attack the Champions League without their key player.”Rodri is irreplaceable, and City will be playing without the best midfielder in the world for a long, long time. This is a huge blow for us. But that’s football; these things happen, and I have to find a solution to keep us competitive, just as we have been for years,” said Guardiola at last night’s press conference.The truth is, Guardiola has consistently found ways to plug holes left by injuries to key players over the years, but since taking the helm at City eight years ago, he has never faced a challenge like this. Arsenal’s hunger for a title, which they’ve been waiting for 20 years, is greater than ever, while the four-time consecutive Premier League champions have lost their main engine, with no clear alternative in sight.##NAJAVA_MECA_8361361##Let’s rewind exactly one year. On September 23, 2023, Rodri received a straight red card against Nottingham Forest. Over the next two weeks, City played four matches. They lost the League Cup match against Newcastle and the two Premier League games against Wolverhampton (2-1) and Arsenal (1-0), all without the suspended Rodri. The only match they won was against Leipzig in the Champions League, where the Spanish international did play (1-3). Of City’s three Premier League losses in the entire 2023/24 season, all three occurred without one of the most serious contenders for the Ballon d’Or.”He’s the best defensive midfielder in the world and a potential Ballon d’Or winner. In fact, I’d love for him to win it,” Guardiola said recently.There are many great players in the defensive midfield position, who quietly cover gaps, work hard, and earn their paycheck. But beyond what the average observer might not immediately notice, Rodri’s stats in the Premier League and beyond are unmatched.For example, last season, no one in the top five leagues had more touches of the ball than Rodri (3,988), nor were there any players with more accurate passes in the final third (378). Only one player had more progressive passes (passes towards the opponent’s goal of more than 10 meters) than Rodri – the Spaniard had 376. Additionally, the Madrid-born player set a Premier League record for the most completed passes overall (3,359) and the most accurate passes in the opponent’s half in a single season (2,122).”I’m like a coach on the pitch. A defensive midfielder is the one who takes the most responsibility on the field. You have to make sure the whole team functions, that no one is lazy or distracted. When the team isn’t playing well, it’s partly your fault,” Rodri told the BBC.##EDITORS_CHOICE##Rodri is a footballing rarity, and without him, City’s chances of defending the title drop significantly. Statistics show that City’s loss percentage more than doubles when Rodri isn’t on the field.Since his 2019 transfer from Atlético Madrid for €70 million, Rodri has played 259 matches for City before the Arsenal game. His record stands at 192 wins (74%), 39 draws (15%), and 28 losses (11%). Due to injuries, suspensions, or other reasons, he’s missed 45 City matches, during which the club has won 29 (64%), drawn five (12%), and lost 11 (24%).Arsenal had the “Invincibles” generation that won the Premier League’s Golden Trophy in 2004, and just three days ago, City effectively lost their own Mr.Invincible, the man who, from February 5, 2023 (1-0 loss to Tottenham), to May 25 of this year (loss to United in the FA Cup final), went unbeaten in 74 consecutive matches! That streak lasted 475 days, breaking the shared record of AC Milan legends Paolo Maldini and Demetrio Albertini’s 73-match unbeaten run.How Guardiola will mitigate this loss remains to be seen, starting with the upcoming match at Newcastle’s St. James’ Park (Saturday, 2.30 PM EAT). October’s schedule seems kinder to the English champions, at least on paper, with fixtures against Slovan Bratislava, Fulham, Wolverhampton, Sparta Prague, Southampton, and Bournemouth. The most likely direct replacement is Mateo Kovačić, but it’s also expected that Guardiola’s brilliant mind will tinker with formations, possibly using two defensive midfielders and pairing Kovačić with Rico Lewis, Gündogan, or even John Stones or Akanji, depending on the opponent.We can confirm that Rodri has suffered a ligament injury to his right knee.Everyone at the Club wishes him a speedy recovery 🩵More information 👇— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 25, 2024 City will continue the season without the man who often steps up when a goal needs to be conjured out of thin air. His shot secured Manchester City the “Ol’ Big Ears” in June 2023.”I’ve watched that goal 5,000 times. In every country, in every language. It changed my life in a certain way,” Rodri once said.Likewise, City’s life without their quiet midfield master won’t be the same – Mr.Invincible, your services will be sorely missed.🗣️ “I’ve watched the goal 5,000 times.”Rodri’s stunning match-winning strike ⚽️#SuperCup 🔜 pic.twitter.com/qCE8zYKdmv— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) August 15, 2023
