Newcastle expose Man Citys frailties

Mohamed Magdy  

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Newcastle expose Man City's frailties

No Rodri, no party. But plenty of questions. Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola can't escape the shadow of his injured midfielder -- arguably the best in the world in his position -- and his exasperated reaction to being asked about the 28-year-old after Saturday's 1-1 draw at Newcastle United gave away just how big a loss he is going to be to the Premier League champions.

"Guys, I know you are going to ask me all the time," Guardiola said after the game. "But [Rodri] is not there. "Kova [Mateo Kovacic], Bernardo [Silva]. Rico [Lewis] did well, but I have to find solutions. I would love Rodri to be here."

This was the first game that City had played since confirmation came this week that Rodri, shortlisted for the Ballon d'Or, will miss the rest of this season after tearing the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee during last Sunday's 2-2 draw against Arsenal.

When Rodri left the field against Mikel Arteta's side in the 20th minute as a result of his injury, City were 1-0 ahead and comfortable.In the previous 51 Premier League games that Rodri had played, dating to February 2023, City hadn't lost any of them.

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