How Man City could line up at Newcastle United without Rodri after surgery decision

Rodri down injured during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Arsenal FC.
-Credit: (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)


Pep Guardiola's Manchester City is preparing to face their upcoming Premier League fixture without the talismanic Rodri, as they travel to take on Newcastle United.

The Spanish midfielder, pivotal in City's engine room, is set for an extended spell on the sidelines with a knee ligament injury sustained in the recent 2-2 draw against Arsenal. It marks a significant challenge for Guardiola, who has been candid about the duration Rodri could be missing from action, hinting at "a long, long time" out following the required surgery.

A deep dive into Rodri's role reveals his centrality to the Citizens' system. The £62.8million Atletico Madrid recruit underpins the core of Guardiola's setup, seamlessly transitioning play and solidifying the midfield.

READ MORE:Newcastle flop who won't play for Eddie Howe's Magpies again now targeting titles after shock switch

READ MORE:Gone Fishing Bob Mortimer's life from health battles to marriage

Last season witnessed Rodri participating in an incredible 50 games for Manchester City, accompanied by 14 national caps, culminating in Spain's conquest at Euro 2024. Since February 5 the previous year, he's tasted defeat only once in domestic clashes, a blot arriving courtesy of Manchester United in the FA Cup final.

A glance at Rodri's personal silverware collection, encompassing four Premier League triumphs, a Champions League victory, one FA Cup, a pair of Carabao Cups, and both World Club Cup and European Super Cup wins, underscores his vital contribution to the team.

With Rodri's absence leaving a noticeable void, it's now up to Guardiola to mobilize his richly assembled squad to compensate for the loss of such a distinctive player.

Croatia's Mateo Kovacic, who has had stints at Inter Milan, Real Madrid and Chelsea, was called upon to fill the gap on Sunday. He appears to be the most similar type of player, but his manager will remember that City lost consecutive matches to Newcastle, Wolves and Arsenal last season when he started while the Spaniard was suspended.

John Stones, a central defender, has previously performed well in midfield and scored a crucial equaliser against Arsenal after being brought on as an extra forward late in the game.

Could Guardiola think creatively?

As one of football's most innovative managers, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss is open to adaptation and has the resources to do so.

Ilkay Gundogan, who has returned to the club after a season with Barcelona, has experience playing as a number six despite usually playing further up the pitch and could be a good option.

On the other hand, 19 year old Rico Lewis' instincts, versatility, speed and dependability make him a potential candidate. Matheus Nunes could also be considered, although he was signed for more offensive purposes, while injuries to Oscar Bobb and central defender Nathan Ake have come at an inconvenient time for them.

What about a change in formation?

Guardiola's team plays with such fluidity that the formation can often be largely irrelevant. Rodri's defensive midfield position enables the full-backs to venture forward into attacking roles, frequently more centrally, while the rotation behind in-form striker Erling Haaland poses a dizzying conundrum for rival teams.

A potential remedy to the absence of a direct substitute could be to deploy a two-man midfield and instruct the full-backs to keep their width, preventing overcrowding and posing new difficulties for the opposition.