Rodri's Dilemma Of Presence In Manchester City Squad

Rodri is one of the main preferred players in the Manchester City squad. (photo: Doc. mtb)

Rodri is one of the main choice players in the Manchester City squad. However, this time, there was a dilemma as to whether it was still relevant to include him in the match against RB Leipzig at the Red Bull Arena Leipzig Stadium, Wednesday 4 October or Thursday 5 October morning WIB, in this season's Champions League continuation.

When Rodri was not in City's squad, the entire team structure could falter. This is what happened this week.

Rodri's unwise act of lifting his hand on the neck of Morgan Gibbs-White earned him a three-match ban, two of which had passed and both ended in defeat.

While Rodri may not be playing in defeat in the Carabao Cup against Newcastle, his existence is so much needed in a game against Wolves that feels lost.

Pep Guardiola initially underestimated the meaning of losing Rodri, saying he still had eleven players on the pitch. However, Rodri's role in the team was crucial. Almost all the problems City faced in the match against Wolves stemmed from the inability to replace the role of their best defensive midfielder.

In that match, City's defense did not get sufficient protection, and was often exposed to Wolves' quick counter-attacks. City's team also struggled to control the game, and Rodri's calm in distributing the ball was urgently needed.

Despite the difficulty of blaming other players who tried to replace the role of best defensive midfielder, Mateo Kovacic, in the match against Wolves appeared far from expectations. He was considered too careless in passing the ball, so he often let his teammates cope with the ball he passed. Kovacic also tried too many solo runs that usually work, but with his role as a defensive midfielder, the risks faced far outweighed.

Kovacic made a poor pass that resulted in the opposing team's first goal and almost conceded again in the first half after losing the ball while trying to bring the ball forward. He was finally replaced by Kalvin Phillips after playing for about an hour.

With Kovacic's unsatisfactory performance, there appears a dilemma as to who should replace Rodri's role in the next game. The fierce encounter against Arsenal on weekends is a major concern, especially as Rodri is still in a period of banning play. In a situation like this, Guardiola's choice becomes increasingly difficult.

With the limited options available, it might make sense for Guardiola to consider fielding Rodri in the next game and giving other players the opportunity to play in that position. In preparation for Arsenal, they need to hone the players who will replace Rodri, especially given the tight schedule of matches.

This decision could be a risky move, but could also help City be better prepared for tough matches in the future.

Whatever decision Guardiola will make, he must immediately find a solution to overcome Rodri's dilemma in his team