Manchester City’s draw against Arsenal last weekend wasn’t just full of drama on the pitch; it also brought bad news for Pep Guardiola’s side. While John Stones’ last-minute equalizer helped City salvage a point in the 2-2 contest, the team suffered a major setback with the early loss of star midfielder Rodri.
Just 21 minutes into the match, Rodri went down clutching his knee after an awkward fall. Though he was able to walk off the pitch with assistance from the medical team, his injury left City fans and management deeply concerned. Rodri was replaced by Mateo Kovacic, but the severity of the injury could have long-term implications for City’s season.
Reports suggest that Rodri might have suffered an ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) tear, which could mean an extended spell on the sidelines. If surgery is required, he could miss the rest of the season as he undergoes rehabilitation. While the diagnosis isn’t confirmed yet, the prospect of losing Rodri for such a long period is a significant blow for City, given his vital role in midfield.
However, Guardiola has options at his disposal, and here are three potential ways City could line up without their midfield lynchpin for the foreseeable future.
Option 1: Kovacic as a Direct Replacement
The simplest solution would be for Guardiola to continue with the change he made during the Arsenal match, bringing in Kovacic to fill Rodri’s role. The Croatian international has featured prominently in City’s Premier League campaign, even netting a goal in the season opener against Chelsea.
If City stick with the 4-3-3 formation, Kovacic would slot into the center of the midfield three. Surrounding him could be a combination of Ilkay Gundogan, Matheus Nunes, James McAtee, Bernardo Silva, or Kevin De Bruyne, giving Guardiola plenty of creative and defensive options.
Potential lineup:
Ederson; Walker, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Kovacic, Silva, De Bruyne; Foden, Doku; Haaland.
Option 2: Bring Rico Lewis into the Fold
Another option would be to shift the defense slightly and bring academy graduate Rico Lewis into a hybrid role, similar to how he played earlier in the season when Rodri was out with a hamstring injury. Lewis could slot in as an inverted full-back, stepping into midfield alongside Kovacic when City have possession.
This would allow City to maintain their fluid style of play, with Lewis providing additional support in midfield while still being part of the backline. Kovacic would continue in the central role, while the attacking trio of midfielders could offer further creative support for the wide players and Erling Haaland.
Potential lineup:
Ederson; Lewis, Akanji, Dias, Gvardiol; Kovacic; Foden, Silva, De Bruyne, Grealish; Haaland.
Option 3: Nunes or Gundogan in a Defensive Role
Kovacic isn’t the only option to replace Rodri, and Guardiola could also look at other personnel to fill the gap. Ilkay Gundogan or Matheus Nunes could step into a more defensive role, giving Guardiola room to push another attack-minded player into the midfield. This would allow for a more aggressive formation, potentially keeping the pressure on opposing teams.
While Gundogan is typically more of an attacking midfielder, his experience and tactical intelligence could make him a reliable option to sit deeper when required. This approach would give City flexibility in how they attack while maintaining control in the middle of the park.
Potential lineup:
Ederson; Walker, Dias, Akanji, Gvardiol; Gundogan, Silva, De Bruyne; Foden, Doku; Haaland.
Final Thoughts
While losing Rodri for an extended period would be a significant blow to Manchester City, Pep Guardiola has plenty of tactical options and squad depth to compensate for his absence. Whether he opts for a straightforward replacement in Kovacic, experiments with an inverted full-back system, or deploys a different midfielder in a defensive role, City still have the firepower to remain competitive in all competitions.
Rodri’s injury may create a challenge, but under Guardiola’s tactical genius, City are well-equipped to navigate the difficulties ahead.
