Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said Monday he was uncertain when Spain midfielder Rodri would be fit enough to return to action. Rodri missed much of last season with a knee injury and has appeared just once and only for a minute in City’s last 10 games due to a hamstring problem. The 29-year-old has been ruled out of Tuesday’s Premier League trip to Fulham and is doubtful for the home clash with Sunderland on Saturday.
“No, not yet,” Guardiola said when asked at a press conference on Monday which lasted just a few minutes, if Rodri was available. Asked if the midfielder could feature at the weekend, Guardiola said, “I don’t know.”
Guardiola also addressed questions about goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who was booked for the fourth time in his short City career during the last-gasp 3–2 win over Leeds on Saturday. Leeds manager Daniel Farke had accused Donnarumma of feigning injury to allow Guardiola to deliver a key team talk. The Italian is now just one yellow card away from a suspension.
Yes, he has a lot (of bookings), he has many,” said Guardiola. “It is what it is.” Asked if he had spoken to Donnarumma about the bookings, he replied: No.
Guardiola was more willing to speak about the work of Fulham manager Marco Silva following their impressive 2–1 win away to Tottenham. “Marco is many, many years there, and always when we have been there really, really tough games, difficult,” Guardiola said. “The organisation is exceptional, and every year I have the feeling that, with the ball, they are better and better. Tough, tough opponent.
I saw the games yesterday and today, against Chelsea, against Arsenal, last games against Sunderland. Always it’s so, so difficult for the opponents to break them up. It has always been like that in this beautiful stadium (Craven Cottage) in London.
