Man City’s Club World Cup efforts are over but to add insult to injury Rodri has been dealt another injury setback after missing almost the entirety of last season.
Pep Guardiola revealed Rodri suffered a fresh injury blow to rub salt in the wounds after Manchester City’s Club World Cup humiliation.
The City midfielder suffered the indignity of coming on as a substitute after 53 minutes then only to be subbed himself in extra time.
But Guardiola revealed it was because Rodri – who missed almost all of last season with a cruciate knee ligament injury suffered a fresh injury blow.
Guardiola did not reveal the nature or extent of the injury but it is another massive setback on top of them losing their last remaining hope of silverware to salvage something from the season.
Manchester City lost in extra time as Al-Hilal pulled off the biggest upset in the competition and the biggest result in their history.
City boss Guardiola said: “We have to see Rodri, he complained about his situation, but we need time to come back.”
Guardiola admitted his team were too slow to react but insisted they created and wasted enough chances to win the match.
“It was a difficult game. We allowed them to make transitions we created a lot. It is a pity, we have been on incredible journey together and so good place.
We were so open. When the crosses arrived, in the first action, they had the ability to pass the ball and attack and they have quick players.
We created a lot and had a lot of chances against a team that defend so deep. They punished us on the transitions.
We would have loved to have continued, only here once every four year, we had a feeling that the team is doing well but we go home and now it is time to rest and rest our minds for the new season.
