As Manchester City cautiously manage Rodri’s return following a long season and an intense summer, they may not receive much cooperation from Spain this week. The midfielder, a key figure for both club and country, has yet to feature for City this season, but he is on track to make his first appearance on Sunday.
Rodri returned later than the rest of his City teammates, having lifted the Euro 2024 trophy with Spain. His summer exploits left him nursing minor injuries, forcing him to miss City’s opening two Premier League games. While he was included in the squad for the match against West Ham, he remained on the bench as an unused substitute.
The Spaniard also sat out Spain’s draw against Serbia this week, serving a suspension handed down by UEFA after comments he made about Gibraltar during the Euro celebrations. Despite City’s hopes of easing him back into action, Rodri may now be thrust into Spain’s starting lineup for their upcoming clash against Switzerland, with head coach Luis de la Fuente signaling that he’s not overly concerned with City’s caution regarding Rodri’s fitness.
“We always prioritize the player’s health,” de la Fuente explained. “[But] Rodri is perfectly trained, and at some point, he will have to start playing, either here or with his club. If we believe he should start tomorrow [against Switzerland], he will—without any risk. But football is unpredictable, and anything can happen.”
De la Fuente also addressed the broader tension between international and club football, particularly in light of concerns raised by players like Rodri, who have criticized the relentless demands of the football calendar. Rodri has been vocal about the toll the packed schedule takes on players, with fellow City stars such as Pep Guardiola, Kevin De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, and Ruben Dias echoing similar concerns.
However, de la Fuente remains firm in his stance, dismissing these concerns in favor of his duty to field the best possible team for Spain. “Our responsibility is to represent our country, put out the best players, and compete to win. We have great prestige to uphold, and the only way to do that is by selecting the best, regardless of club concerns.”
De la Fuente emphasized fairness, noting that he would not prioritize protecting certain players due to their club affiliations. “We think of the players first, but they also have to play for the national team. The calendar is set, and we abide by it. It’s our country, our national team, and we must give it the importance it deserves. Clubs want their players to be internationals, and all players want to represent their country. We are merely victims of this calendar, not the ones responsible.”
As Rodri inches closer to his City return, Guardiola and his coaching staff will be watching closely, hoping that Spain’s decision doesn’t further strain their already stretched squad.
Meanwhile, City’s European ambitions remain firmly in focus, with their pursuit of reclaiming the Champions League title intensifying. With new tournament rules pitting City against teams like Inter Milan, Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain in an expanded group stage, Guardiola will need all his key players fully fit and firing if they hope to conquer Europe once again. Fans will be keeping a close eye on Rodri’s role for Spain, knowing his fitness is crucial to City’s success on all fronts.
