Pep Guardiola is confident that Rodri “will learn” from the incident that resulted in the Manchester City midfielder receiving a red card for violent conduct against Nottingham Forest last month.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola is confident that midfielder Rodri “will learn” from the incident that resulted in the Spaniard receiving a straight red card for violent conduct against Nottingham Forest last month.
Rodri was dismissed just 27 seconds into the second half of City’s 2-0 home win over Forest after raising his hands towards the neck of Morgan Gibbs-White during a heated confrontation by the corner flag.
The Spaniard was forced to serve a three-game domestic ban for violent conduct and the Citizens certainly felt his absence as they suffered defeat in all three games that the midfielder missed.
Three days after being knocked out in the EFL Cup third round by Newcastle United last month, Man City were beaten 2-1 at Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League, before losing a second successive top-flight match against Arsenal by a 1-0 scoreline before the international break.
Guardiola is able to integrate Rodri back into the first-team fold for Saturday’s Premier League encounter with Brighton & Hove Albion at the Etihad Stadium, and the Catalan boss – who was critical of the referee’s ‘chaotic’ performance in the win over Forest – has insisted that he is not concerned the midfielder will be triggered by off-the-ball incidents in the future.
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“[Rodri is] so important. He will learn,” Guardiola told reporters at a press conference on Friday.
“He was sent off but there were two fouls on Rodri when the referee didn’t apply the rules. Without that he doesn’t get sent off.
“But after Rodri must learn. We have to control emotions and go. But I’m sure he’ll learn.”
Rodri has established himself as one of Man City’s most important players in recent seasons, and he played more minutes than any other Citizens player in their historic treble-winning campaign in 2022-23.
The lynchpin made a bright start to the new season before his suspension, contributing with three goals and two assists in eight appearances across all competitions including a dramatic late winner in a 2-1 Premier League victory over Sheffield United.
Rodri, who is expected to start in midfield against Brighton, is not the only Man City player making a return, as defender John Stones is in contention to make his first Premier League start after recovering from a muscle injury.
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Stones made his first top-flight appearance of the season as a second-half substitute in the defeat at Arsenal, before playing for an hour on international duty with England in a 3-1 win over Italy in Euro 2024 qualifying on Tuesday.
Guardiola has admitted that he was “a little bit concerned” to see Stones start for the Three Lions following a lengthy spell on the sidelines, but the Citizens boss is thankful that the defender came off on the hour mark unscathed.
“We were a little bit concerned. We spoke with Gareth [Southgate], we have an incredible relationship,” said Guardiola. “We were concerned because Stones didn’t play one minute in the last two months and then to play for the national team.
“He [is] so important and we could not use him. We’re happy he got minutes but what if he gets injured? So he plays some minutes and comes off.
“They love to play for their countries, I never say not go there, but if a player plays few minutes we are concerned, but thankfully everything was right and he’s ready for next games.”
Man City’s only injury concern ahead of the visit of Brighton is playmaker Kevin De Bruyne, who is still recovering from a hamstring injury sustained in August.
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