Manchester City secured a 1-0 win over Brentford in their seventh Premier League match of the campaign on October 5 at Gtech Community Stadium.
Erling Haaland found the back of the net in the ninth minute from an assist by Josko Gvardiol, bringing in the win for Man City, which ranks them fifth in the top flight with 13 points.
City's victory over Brentford also saw Rodri unable to continue and hobble off the pitch within the first 20 minutes of the match.
Rodri suffered a cruciate ligament tear in September last year and was sidelined for over 200 days, missing 53 games for club and country. His recent return to the pitch has involved some minor setbacks amid his struggles to regain consistency.
Speaking after the match, Rodri addressed his early substitution and told Sky Sports,
"I'm good. I felt a little bit in the hamstring but it seems like it's not that much. The important thing was the victory. I stretched the leg a little bit, a bit like in the Euros final. I stretched a little bit but it's part of the process," as per GOAL.
📲 Follow The Sporting News on WhatsApp
"I don't feel that I feel tired muscle wise, I feel fresh but the most important thing is it's not that big. It's part of the process. The good thing about this is you get out, you don't let the muscle stretch now. The good thing is the break so it will be even better in this sense to recover these days and hopefully I can be in the next game."
Man City head coach Pep Guardiola also shared his take on Rodri's latest injury concern.
What did Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola say?
Earlier this month, Rodri was ruled out of City's 2-2 Champions League draw with Monaco. His omission brought in questions for Guardiola, who mentioned that he was being cautious as the 2024 Ballon d'Or winner is on his way to return to full fitness.
While addressing the press after Sunday's win, Guardiola spoke about Rodri's latest setback and said,
"I was right, no? You asked me why I don't play him 90 minutes all the time. The journalists always ask me why I substitute him. This is why we tried to be gentle and play [him] for 60-65 minutes."
"It's muscular. Of course I don't want to lose him [at all] because he is such an important player. We tried to take care of him, but it is what it is."
After not being included in the Spain national squad for the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifiers due to his injury, Rodri is expected to undergo treatment and rest, to hopefully feature in Man City's next match.
Following the international break this week, Man City will be returning to Premier League action against Everton on October 18 at Etihad Stadium.
Manchester City news and related links
- Jamie Carragher rates Erling Haaland as 'greatest goal-scorer to ever play in English football'
- Man City’s secret French scouting mission sparks major transfer talk
- Guardiola reaches Premier League milestone only achieved by Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger