Pep Guardiola Gets Major Boost as Rodri Returns to Training

Rodri back in training

Manchester City receives a major boost as Rodri returns to training. Find out what Pep Guardiola has to say about Rodri's fitness and the team's chances in the Champions League.

Manchester City have been boosted by some good news ahead of their Champions League game with Monaco...

Manchester City has received a significant boost ahead of their Champions League match against Monaco with the return of Rodri to first-team training. The midfielder, who suffered a long-term ACL injury, was absent from the recent Premier League game against Burnley, where City secured a 5-1 victory. Rodri's return is crucial for Pep Guardiola's side, as they look to challenge on all fronts this season.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has received a significant boost ahead of their Champions League match against Monaco, with midfielder Rodri returning to training after missing the win over Burnley due to knee pain. According to Sky Sports journalist Ben Ransom, Rodri was the first out for Manchester City training, indicating a positive step in his recovery.

Rodri had been managing a knee issue connected to an ACL tear and sat out Saturday's Premier League win against Burnley. Guardiola confirmed Rodri's return to training, saying, “Right now, in my opinion, if you ask me, he is not able to play three games a week at top, top level... He feels really good. Every day he's making sessions and sessions, but we have to make the step to avoid making a step backwards and being injured again.” Guardiola emphasized the importance of caution in Rodri's return, given the severity of his previous injury, which kept him sidelined for several months.

Rodri's Fitness Update

• Current Status: Rodri is back in training and may be ready to feature against Monaco.
• Injury Concerns: Guardiola is cautious about Rodri's return, citing the need for the player to dictate his own availability based on his fitness level.
• Previous Injury: Rodri suffered a serious ACL tear earlier in the year, which kept him out for several months.

The return of Rodri would be a significant boost to Manchester City's lineup options as they face a challenging tie against AS Monaco. His ability to control the tempo of the game and break up opposition attacks is vital for City's Champions League ambitiond.

Pep 💬 (On Rodri) He feels much better than the game before against Burnley. pic.twitter.com/IZbp16Q1Iw

— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 30, 2025

Manchester City has received a significant boost ahead of their Champions League match against Monaco, with midfielder Rodri returning to training after missing the win over Burnley due to knee pain. According to Pep Guardiola, Rodri is “feeling much better” and could potentially start in Wednesday's match. Rodri's return is crucial for Manchester City, as his presence in midfield allows the team to control the tempo of the game and break up opposition attacks.

Rayan Cherki, the promising French winger, has also returned to training after being sidelined with a thigh injury since late August. However, Guardiola has decided to err on the side of caution with Cherki's recovery, stating, “It's so risky, because next time it's surgery, next time it's four or five months... I don't want to take a risk.” As a result, Cherki will not travel with the team to Monaco and will instead focus on preparing for the Premier League clash against Brentford on October 5.

A brand-new edition of the City Magazine is available to read now! 🧾

Including exclusive interviews with Rodri & Rico Lewis! ✍️

— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 1, 2025

Injury Updates:

Rodri: Guardiola confirmed Rodri's availability for the Monaco match, saying, “Yeah, he feels much better than the game before.”

Rayan Cherki: Cherki will miss the Monaco and Brentford games as Guardiola prioritizes his recovery.

Omar Marmoush: Expected to return around October 5, potentially for the Brentford match.

Abdukodir Khusanov: Out for the next three games, with a target return date of October 5.

Rayan Ait-Nouri: Faces a longer road to recovery, with Guardiola remaining tight-lipped about a timeline.

Upcoming Match

Manchester City vs Monaco: The Champions League clash will be a crucial test for Manchester City, with Rodri's participation potentially making a significant difference in their performance.