Manchester City face a nervy wait over Rodri’s fitness ahead of the title run-in
Manchester City confirmed on Tuesday that Rodri will miss Wednesday’s Premier League trip to Burnley after picking up a groin injury during the hard-fought 2-1 victory over Arsenal on Sunday. The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner sustained the knock during that intense game, managing 88 minutes before the discomfort forced him off in the closing stages.
Rodri underwent tests on Monday to assess the extent of the injury, and Pep Guardiola addressed the situation directly at his Tuesday press conference. “I think he will not be ready for tomorrow, and we will see for the next games,” the City manager confirmed. Scans have indicated the issue is not serious, though there is a doubt for Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final against Southampton at Wembley.
Rodri played in each of City’s last 11 Premier League fixtures and was a key part of narrowing the gap on Arsenal, putting in a magnificent display against the Gunners alongside Bernardo Silva. According to FotMob, Rodri carries an average rating of 7.47 across the 2025-26 Premier League campaign, clocking 1,423 minutes in the process.
His latest setback adds to a difficult year, given he already missed a significant portion of the campaign’s first half after a previous injury, having only recently returned to his best form. Ruben Dias also misses the Burnley fixture through an ankle problem, handing Guardiola a tough double decision at a critical moment in the title race.
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Can Manchester City win the title without Rodri playing every game?
Given that City sit three points behind Arsenal, who have played one game more, the title race really comes down to individual moments across the final fixtures. The question worth asking honestly is whether Manchester City can handle Rodri’s absence during the final stretch of the season without their rhythm breaking down entirely.
From City’s perspective, the honest answer is yes, but only if the squad trusts the system Guardiola has built rather than a single player. Matheus Nunes and Nico Gonzalez both offer different qualities in the engine room, and City’s attacking depth means they rarely depend on one position to get results.
Guardiola himself pointed to a possible return for the FA Cup semi-final or the Premier League clash with Everton, suggesting the time away will be short. Guardiola has already stressed that dropping points at Burnley would make it deeply difficult to come back.
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Manchester City simply cannot afford to treat Burnley as a formality. The Ballon d’Or winner’s absence tests character more than tactics, and how City respond on Wednesday evening will define whether this title challenge stays alive right through to the final day.
