Manchester City faces a significant challenge this Saturday in their Premier League clash against Newcastle United, as they will be without their key midfielder Rodri, who has been sidelined for the remainder of the season. The 28-year-old Spain international suffered a knee injury during the game against Arsenal, and manager Pep Guardiola confirmed that Rodri has undergone surgery, leaving him out of action until next season.
This injury marks a critical setback for City, as they aim to secure a fifth consecutive Premier League title and defend their Champions League crown. Despite the loss of Rodri, City has proven resilient earlier this season, maintaining their form even in his absence during the opening weeks of the campaign.
While Guardiola acknowledges that no one can fully replicate Rodri’s influence on the pitch, he still has several tactical options at his disposal. One of the most likely choices is Mateo Kovacic, who could step into the midfield role. However, Kovacic often thrives in a double pivot setup, which might prompt Guardiola to pair him with Ilkay Gundogan for the Newcastle encounter. The duo could provide the stability and creativity City will need at St. James’ Park.
In addition to Kovacic and Gundogan, other versatile players could fill the midfield void. Manuel Akanji and John Stones have both shown they can push forward into a midfield role from defense, offering additional flexibility. Another potential candidate is Rico Lewis, who has performed admirably as a full-back but could benefit from more minutes in midfield. Nevertheless, given Kyle Walker’s heavy workload in recent matches, Lewis may be deployed on the right flank in Saturday’s game.
Meanwhile, City’s midfield conundrum is further complicated by the absence of Kevin De Bruyne, who remains injured. This opens up the possibility of Phil Foden taking on his preferred role as the No. 10, a position where his creativity and vision can flourish. On the wings, Jack Grealish is expected to return to action, with young talent Savinho potentially starting on the opposite side, offering pace and flair.
Erling Haaland, after missing the midweek cup match, is expected to lead the attack, while Ruben Dias may be favored over Stones to shore up City’s defense.
City’s projected lineup for Saturday:
Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Gundogan, Foden; Grealish, Savinho, Haaland.
The depth of Guardiola’s squad will be tested in Rodri’s absence, but City has proven time and again that they can adapt to adversity. [As Guardiola said earlier in the week], “We have the players and the mentality to overcome setbacks. No one can replace Rodri, but we will find a way to keep moving forward.”
