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Rodri to Feature Only as Substitute Before September After Groin Injury

City’s manager will restrict Rodri to substitute appearances until after the international break to safeguard his recovery.

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Mateo Kovacic Phil Foden Nan City
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Overview

  • Rodri suffered a groin setback in Manchester City’s June 30 Club World Cup loss to Al-Hilal and remains on the treatment table into early August.
  • Pep Guardiola confirmed the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner will not be fully fit until after the September internationals and will be reserved for brief cameos in the opening three Premier League fixtures.
  • The midfielder was omitted from the Palermo pre-season trip as part of City’s deliberate load-management approach following his eight-month ACL recovery.
  • Simultaneous fitness concerns for Phil Foden, Josko Gvardiol, Claudio Echeverri and a long-term layoff for Mateo Kovacic have tested City’s midfield depth.
  • Guardiola has stressed pain-free training above all else, aiming to avoid further setbacks for his key defensive midfielder.