Just two days after their clash with Arsenal, Manchester City faced off against Watford in the Carabao Cup, with 16-year-old Kaden Braithwaite making his first senior appearance for the Blues.
Despite the tight schedule, City powered into the fourth round, defeating Watford and managing their squad rotation to perfection. Pep Guardiola, keen to keep his squad fresh, made nine changes from the Arsenal game, and swapped out a tenth player at halftime. Kyle Walker and Jeremy Doku were the only two to start both matches, with Guardiola aiming to rest key players as much as possible.
City took control early with goals from Doku and Matheus Nunes, though Tom Ince’s late strike made the final moments more tense than expected. Adding to City’s challenges, star midfielder Rodri is set to undergo surgery for a knee injury. The club is awaiting a specific recovery timeline, as there’s been some disagreement among doctors regarding the extent of his injury.
Here are some key moments from the Etihad you may have missed:
Pep’s Weekend Lineup Clues
Guardiola’s squad selection clearly pointed toward his intentions for Saturday’s Premier League clash against Newcastle. Doku and Walker were the only holdovers from Sunday’s Arsenal match, while even Mateo Kovacic, who had filled in for the injured Rodri, started on the bench.
Doku was subbed at halftime, likely part of a pre-planned rotation, as young Savinho came on for the second half. Walker, however, played more than 135 minutes across both games in just three days. This heavy workload suggests Guardiola might rest him on Saturday, with Rico Lewis potentially starting after sitting out the Arsenal match.
Josko Gvardiol was the only senior player to come off the bench, replacing Braithwaite, who was suffering from cramp. Big names like Ederson, Ruben Dias, and Bernardo Silva remained unused on the bench, and even avoided the usual warm-up routines. Erling Haaland, absent here, is expected to return to action against Newcastle.
Bernardo Silva’s Sideline Strategy Session
Although Bernardo Silva was on the bench and didn’t play, he was seen warming up with the starting XI. Instead of jogging out with the other substitutes, he spent an extended time talking with assistant coach Juanma Lillo. The two had a lengthy conversation, with Lillo gesturing across the field, seemingly discussing tactics.
As a senior figure in the squad, Bernardo may have been passing on tactical instructions to his teammates rather than being prepped to play. His minimal warm-up suggested he was being saved for Saturday’s match against Newcastle, but the extended conversation was certainly unusual, especially before the game had even started.
Guardiola’s Final Whistle Feedback
Even after securing the win, Pep Guardiola wasn’t ready to relax. As soon as the final whistle blew, he strode onto the field with a clear purpose. First, he sought out Savinho to offer some feedback, and then made a beeline for Phil Foden. Wrapping his arm around the young star, Guardiola spent a few minutes giving detailed instructions, undoubtedly addressing something he had noticed during the game.
Goalkeeper Stefan Ortega, making his first start of the season, also received some tactical input from Guardiola. Despite the rotated lineup, the City boss made it clear that the match was no less important than any other.
Fans’ Heartfelt Support for Rodri
City fans didn’t just back their team—there was a particular outpouring of support for the injured Rodri. Early in the match, a chorus of “Can we talk about Rodri” echoed through the stands, as supporters rallied around their sidelined midfielder.
Before kickoff, Guardiola confirmed the worst: Rodri faces a lengthy recovery after surgery on his knee. He’s currently undergoing tests in Barcelona, but the support from the City faithful was impossible to miss. Fans also chanted for Oscar Bobb, who remained on the bench, as they used the cup match to flex their vocal support ahead of upcoming away fixtures.
The atmosphere reflected both hope and concern—hope for the team’s continued success, and concern for how they’ll cope without Rodri for the foreseeable future. The road ahead will be challenging, but with performances like these, City’s depth continues to impress.
