Pep Guardiola on Rodri's Fitness: 'He's Not Ready Yet'

Pep Guardiola spoke to the press ahead of Manchester City's UEFA Champions League match against AS Monaco on Tuesday

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola confirms Rodri needs more time to recover from knee injury. Find out what this means for City's upcoming fixtures.

“He has been patient, and he will dictate (his availability)...”

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Rodri won't be ready to face the demanding schedule of the team anytime soon. Rodri, the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner, has been struggling with fitness issues after returning from a serious knee injury. Specifically, Rodri suffered an anterior cruciate ligament tear last September and made his comeback in May. However, he experienced a setback during the Club World Cup, which forced him to miss the start of the season.

Guardiola explained that Rodri currently has difficulties with his tendon and isn't able to play three games a week at a top level, especially against demanding opponents. The recent schedule, which included matches against Manchester United, Napoli, and Arsenal, was particularly challenging for Rodri. As a result, he missed City's 5-1 victory over Burnley on Saturday. Although Rodri has traveled with the team to Monaco for their Champions League tie, Guardiola doesn't expect him to feature in the match.

Pep 💬 (Cherki update) I don't want to take a risk... I'd rather have two weeks [for him] to fully recover; training alone, training with the EDS, with the team and he'll be ready. Rayan [Cherki] has a special quality in tight games, in the final third - a vision and pass that is… pic.twitter.com/5zhV3lpZeq

— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 30, 2025

Meanwhile, City midfielder Bernardo Silva is set to face his former club Monaco, where he won the Ligue 1 title in 2016/17 and reached a Champions League semi-final. Silva was appointed City captain this season after Kevin De Bruyne's departure and emphasized the importance of creating a positive team environment to get the club back on track.

Bernardo 💬 It’s been a great honour for me [to be made captain] and I’m trying my best to get this team back to the level it deserves to be. pic.twitter.com/c9MmUO3KXe

— Manchester City (@ManCity) September 30, 2025

Rodri, the 29-year-old midfielder, made a comeback in May after being sidelined for nearly a year due to an anterior cruciate ligament tear suffered last September. However, his return was short-lived as he experienced a setback during the Club World Cup, forcing him to miss the start of the season. According to Pep Guardiola, Rodri's current issue isn't an injury but rather tendon difficulties that are affecting his performance.

Guardiola explained that the demanding schedule, including matches against Manchester United, Napoli, and Arsenal, took a toll on Rodri's knee. As a result, Rodri couldn't play against Burnley due to discomfort in the same knee that suffered the severe ACL injury last year. Despite this, Rodri trained with the team and was part of the squad for the Champions League match against Monaco, but Guardiola doubts he'll feature in the game.

“The week before was so demanding with United, Napoli and especially Arsenal and right now he's not able to play three games in a week at a top level - top intensity, demanding opponents.

“My feeling right now is he is not ready (to play against Monaco) because he needs time. This type of injury, it is minimum one year and after that you start.”

“He has been patient, and he will dictate (his availability).”

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 midfielder Bernardo Silva is set to face his former club AS Monaco in the Champions League, a team he played for from 2014 to 2017. During his time at Monaco, Silva won the Ligue 1 title in the 2016/17 season and reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, showcasing his skills alongside talents like Kylian Mbappé, Thomas Lemar, and Fabinho. This upcoming match marks Silva's return to the Stade Louis-II, where he has fond memories of playing against Manchester City in 2017. Silva expressed his excitement, stating, “It feels great to be back... I have great memories. This club gave me the opportunity to play at a high level for the first time.”

Silva's experience and leadership will be crucial for Manchester City as they take on Monaco. As the team's captain, Silva aims to create a positive team environment and lead by example, drawing from his eight years of experience with City.

Bernardo Silva took on the role of Manchester City captain this season, appointed by Pep Guardiola after Kevin De Bruyne's departure. Silva emphasized the importance of creating a positive team environment to get City back on track. According to Silva, Manchester City's success over the past eight years can be attributed to every player taking responsibility, not just the captain. He believes 10 to 15 players should behave like captains, demonstrating leadership qualities both on and off the pitch.

Silva's leadership will be crucial as City looks to bounce back from a disappointing season where they failed to win a trophy for the first time in eight years. The team finished third in the Premier League and exited the Champions League at the Round of 16 stage. Despite these setbacks, Silva is determined to lead City back to the top, drawing from his eight years of experience working with Guardiola. He has already shown his ability to set the standard for his teammates, as seen in City's recent draw with Arsenal, where he played a crucial role.

“Manchester City was so successful in the last eight years not because one captain was really good but because we have a group of great leaders,” said Silva.

“As the first captain you have to make sure some things don't happen - to create that environment but what we've seen is a group of great characters.

“My job now is to try to create that energy, that chemistry as a group of captains - me, Ruben (Dias), Rodri, Erling (Haaland) - so people behave in the right way.”