Overview
- Pep Guardiola confirmed Rodri will miss Saturday's match against Sunderland and remains uncertain for the trip to Real Madrid.
- The manager said recovery is progressing with on‑pitch work underway and suggested the midfielder could rejoin squad sessions in a few weeks.
- Guardiola emphasized a phased comeback with preseason-style conditioning, warning he will not play full 90‑minute matches immediately.
- Calling Rodri "irreplaceable," Guardiola linked recent defensive lapses to his absence and noted the player is "suffering" during the layoff.
- Mateo Kovačić remains a long‑term absentee due to an ankle issue with calcification, with a potential return around February 2026.