Pep Guardiola has lamented the injury that will sideline midfielder Rodri for the rest of the season saying the club does not have what he gives to the team.
The midfielder has undergone surgery after injuring his knee in last Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal in the Premier League.
“He had surgery this morning, ACL and some meniscus,” Guardiola said at a press conference on Friday ahead of City’s trip to Newcastle.
“Next season he will be here. This season is over [for him]. It is what it is.
“Unfortunately, we got the worst [news] but it is what it is at this level. Sometimes, unfortunately, it happens. We are just there to support him and [help him make a] good recovery, step by step, and move forward.
“What he gives us, we don’t have a similar player but the other players altogether can replace what Rodri has given since arriving here with us.
“We will have to do it as a team and find a way to play a lot of matches without an important player for us.
“We are stronger with him and stronger with [Nathan] Ake and [Oscar] Bobb and Kevin [De Bruyne], but that is what it is. We don’t want it but it is football.
“As a club we have magnificent players and we will find a solution.”
Fellow midfielder De Bruyne will also miss Saturday’s game at Newcastle.
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