Overview

• Guardiola confirmed Rodri cannot currently sustain repeated 90-minute outings and suggested his peak form may not return until next season.
• Rodri missed the 5-1 win over Burnley as a precaution, started at Monaco in midweek, and was substituted after roughly an hour.
• Nico González was praised for leading ball recoveries off the bench in Monaco, with Guardiola saying he is needed because Mateo Kovačić is not ready.
• The manager reported that all players who featured against Monaco finished without issues as preparations continue for Sunday’s trip to Brentford.
• Rayan Cherki will be withheld to avoid risking a problem that could require surgery, and Omar Marmoush says he expects to be available in a few weeks.