'I have to find solutions' - Guardiola reacts after Man City draw Newcastle in Rodri's absence

'I have to find solutions' - Guardiola reacts after Man City draw Newcastle in Rodri's absence

Hassan Abdulsalam 18:30 - 28.09.2024

Pep Guardiola, Manchester City's manager, has clarified that his team will find the perfect replacement for Rodri.

Manchester City's manager, Pep Guardiola, has admitted that his team will need to find solutions to replace the injured Rodri in midfield.

Recall that the Spanish midfielder is out for the rest of the season due to a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

In the absence of Rodri, Rico Lewis and Mateo Kovacic deputised in midfield in City's 1-1 draw against Newcastle United on Saturday. Pep Guardiola praised the pair, saying "they were magnificent."

However, Guardiola also noted that he cannot rely on Bernardo Silva to play in a deeper role.

"I know you're going to ask me all the time, but he (Rodri) is not there. Kova, Bernardo, and Rico did well, but I have to find solutions. I would love Rodri to be here," Guardiola told Reuters.

The manager also highlighted the importance of creating chances and controlling the midfield.

"We had chances to score and in midfield we were strong. The issue was balls in behind," he said.

Josko Gvardiol opened the scoring for City with a superb goal, and Guardiola expressed his admiration for the Croatian defender.

"In small spaces he's really good, especially in the middle, he had the ability to turn and the finishing (was good). He's really, really good, but no, I didn't count (on his goalscoring skills)," Guardiola said.

Man City midfielder Rodri and Pep Guardiola pictured on March 3, 2024 (Credit: Imago)

Meanwhile, Erling Haaland failed to score for the first time this season, and Guardiola explained that the striker had taken a few knocks during the match.

"Yeah, Premier League," he said simply when asked about Haaland's injury.

Man City will face ŠK Slovan Bratislava on Tuesday in the UEFA Champions League.

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