Overview
- Guardiola declined to set a comeback date for Rodri, saying "Ask me in Madrid" when asked about a potential return against Real Madrid next week.
- Rodri has played only one competitive minute since being taken off after 21 minutes at Brentford on October 5.
- Guardiola said Rayan Ait-Nouri impressed at the Club World Cup before injury and stressed that Nico O’Reilly’s form is the sole reason for his limited starts.
- He indicated O’Reilly could be rotated to keep legs fresh, referencing recent energy drop-offs and a day-by-day selection approach.
- Ait-Nouri, a £31m summer signing, has made few starts and is preparing to depart for the Africa Cup of Nations after the Crystal Palace match.