Guardiola: Injured Rodri Out for Burnley Trip, Should Return Before End of Season

Injured Rodri to miss Burnley clash but not rest of season, Guardiola insists

Man City without Rodri at Turf Moor as they chase Arsenal. Even a win only draws them level with five games left.

 

Pep Guardiola has eased fears that Rodri could be ruled out for the rest of the Premier League season, but the Spain midfielder will miss Wednesday’s trip to Burnley.

  

The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner was instrumental in City’s crucial 2-1 win over title rivals Arsenal on Sunday before being forced off late with a groin problem.

  

Rodri, 29, is unlikely to feature as City look to go top of the table for the first time this year at Turf Moor.

  

City then have 12 days until their next league game at Everton, as they face Southampton in Saturday’s FA Cup semi-final.

Pep 💬 (On Rodri's fitness) I think for tomorrow he will not be ready. We will see for the next games.

(On Ruben Dias) not yet. pic.twitter.com/qe9u66r2jd

— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 21, 2026

“I think for tomorrow he will not be ready,” Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday.

“We'll see for next games, the semi-final against Southampton or against Everton.”

Rodri’s return to form after 18 months disrupted by injury has been key to City’s surge back into the title race, forming a dominant midfield partnership with Bernardo Silva.

“Both are experienced, they have a huge special personality,” added Guardiola.

“They are not young guys anymore, experienced guys, but played a lot of this type of games and know how it must be played. They were exceptional.”

  

Even if City beat Burnley to condemn them to relegation, they would only move level on points with Arsenal with five games left.

Pep 💬 We go to Burnley and have to perform to the level that we have to do. We go to try and win the game because it’s what we need. pic.twitter.com/Rr09t2xQhW

— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 21, 2026

Momentum is with Guardiola’s side, but he is wary of a tougher run-in that includes trips to Everton and Bournemouth, both in the mix to qualify for Europe next season.

“Both are experienced, they have a huge special personality,” added Guardiola.

"They are not young guys anymore, experienced guys, but played a lot of this type of games and know how it must be played. They were exceptional.”