Pep Guardiola will have to tinker with his Manchester City side with Rodri set to miss the next batch of domestic matches.
Manchester City are set to be without Rodri for three games following his red card for violent conduct in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest.
City have the right to appeal but if unsuccessful could see an extra game added to his suspension. That would see him sit out the Premier League clash against Brighton with Rodri already set to miss the League Cup tie with Newcastle on Wednesday plus the league fixtures with Wolves and Arsenal.
Rodri will likely get game time in the Champions League meeting with RB Leipzig scheduled after the visit to Wolves. However, in the other games, Pep Guardiola will have to navigate Rodri’s absence.
Option 1
Jack Grealish has returned from injury but Bernardo Silva is sidelined for a number of weeks. Mateo Kovacic could be ready for the midweek game.
Should he be at hand for Guardiola, then – bearing in mind both Kevin De Bruyne and John Stones are injured – City’s strongest line-up might see Kovacic come in for Rodri with Grealish starting on the left.
Julian Alvarez has been scintillating in behind Erling Haaland while Phil Foden has been brilliant on the flank so he would likely start ahead of Jeremy Doku. This is presuming the back line stays as a back-four with Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias, Manu Akanji and Josko Gvardiol protecting Ederson.
Option 2
Another option sees Kalvin Phillips come in for Kovacic if the Croat is not ready. Phillips has not been fancied by Guardiola but this could be the break he is looking for.
If he does not give the England international the nod then it may leave Phillips wondering where he fits into Guardiola’s plans, especially if the Catalan coach opts to change his system…
Option 3
Guardiola may decide to change things up and go for a 4-3-3 with only one pivot, should he not fancy Phillips. That will only happen if Kovacic is fit and depends on which club City are facing.
That system may allow Foden to come back into midfield and operate centrally on a permanent basis. This, however, is the least likely option given the on-form Alvarez would have to be dropped.
