£62.5m star told Pep Guardiola he was not happy about ‘his situation’ during Man City vs Al Hilal

The summer of 2025 was supposed to represent a fresh start for Manchester City. After enduring what many considered a disappointing 2024/25 campaign by their exceptionally high standards, Pep Guardiola’s side traveled to the United States with ambitious plans to capture the FIFA Club World Cup and restore confidence ahead of the new Premier League season. However, their 4-3 defeat to Saudi Arabian powerhouse Al Hilal has not only dashed those immediate trophy aspirations but has also exposed deeper systemic issues that continue to plague the English champions.

The Al Hilal Setback: More Than Just a Defeat

The loss to Al Hilal represents far more than a simple pre-season friendly gone wrong. For a club of Manchester City’s caliber and financial investment, failing to secure silverware against international opposition raises fundamental questions about the team’s current trajectory. The defeat has highlighted several concerning areas that Guardiola must address before the Premier League season commences in August.

While many supporters have directed their frustration toward goalkeeper Ederson for his perceived role in the disappointing result, the reality is that Manchester City’s problems run much deeper than individual errors. The Brazilian goalkeeper, who has been a stalwart between the posts for several seasons, appears to be bearing the brunt of fan criticism for what is essentially a collective failure. This scapegoating mentality, while understandable from an emotional standpoint, masks the more complex underlying issues that have been festering within the squad.

The defeat serves as a stark reminder that Manchester City’s dominance cannot be taken for granted. Even against opposition that might be considered inferior on paper, the Citizens struggled to impose their characteristic control and precision. This inability to dominate proceedings against Al Hilal suggests that the tactical and personnel adjustments made during the summer transfer window may not have adequately addressed the fundamental weaknesses that emerged during the previous campaign.

Rodri’s Injury Scare: A Cause for Immediate Concern

Perhaps the most alarming development from the Al Hilal encounter was the fitness concern surrounding Rodri, Manchester City’s £62.5 million Spanish midfielder. The 29-year-old’s importance to Guardiola’s tactical system cannot be overstated, and any suggestion of injury problems immediately sends shockwaves through the City faithful who witnessed firsthand how the team struggled without him during significant portions of the 2024/25 season.

Rodri entered the match as a substitute in the 53rd minute, presumably as part of Guardiola’s carefully managed plan to gradually reintroduce key players to competitive action following their summer break. However, his premature exit in the 100th minute due to what Guardiola described as complaints about “his situation” has raised immediate red flags about his physical condition and readiness for the upcoming campaign.

The Spanish international’s journey back from his previous long-term knee injury has been closely monitored by medical staff, coaching personnel, and supporters alike. His absence during crucial phases of the previous season demonstrated just how integral he has become to Manchester City’s playing philosophy. The defensive midfielder’s unique combination of technical ability, physical presence, and tactical intelligence makes him virtually irreplaceable in Guardiola’s system.

When Rodri complained about his situation during the Al Hilal match, it immediately transported observers back to the dark days of the previous season when his injury absence coincided with a noticeable drop in the team’s overall performance levels. The psychological impact of seeing their most influential midfielder expressing discomfort cannot be underestimated, particularly given the context of an already disappointing result.

The Broader Context of Manchester City’s Current Situation

To fully understand the significance of both the Al Hilal defeat and Rodri’s fitness concerns, it’s essential to examine the broader context of Manchester City’s recent struggles. The 2024/25 campaign, while not disastrous by most clubs’ standards, fell short of the exceptionally high benchmarks that Guardiola and his players have established over recent years.

The team’s over-reliance on certain key players became starkly apparent when those individuals were unavailable through injury or other circumstances. Rodri’s absence, in particular, exposed the lack of adequate depth in the defensive midfield position and highlighted how Guardiola’s tactical system can become vulnerable when specific personnel are unavailable.

This dependency issue extends beyond just Rodri, although his case is perhaps the most glaring example. Manchester City’s success has been built on a foundation of tactical precision and individual brilliance, but this approach requires consistent availability of key personnel to function optimally. When disrupted by injuries, suspensions, or fatigue, the entire system can appear fragile and disjointed.

The summer preparations were specifically designed to address these vulnerabilities and restore the team’s competitive edge. However, the Al Hilal result suggests that significant work remains to be done in terms of both tactical adaptation and squad strengthening.

Analyzing Rodri’s Specific Role and Importance

Rodri’s influence on Manchester City’s playing style extends far beyond traditional statistical measures. Since his arrival from Atletico Madrid in 2019 for £62.5 million, the Spanish midfielder has evolved into one of the most crucial components of Guardiola’s tactical machinery. His role as the team’s primary defensive midfielder involves a complex set of responsibilities that few players worldwide can execute with similar effectiveness.

The Ballon d’Or winner’s 2024 recognition was testament to his extraordinary influence on both club and international football. His ability to dictate tempo, break up opposition attacks, and initiate City’s possession-based approach from deep positions makes him central to everything the team attempts to achieve tactically.

During his extended absence in the previous season, Manchester City experimented with various alternatives in the defensive midfield position, but none could replicate the unique combination of skills that Rodri brings to the role. His vision and passing range allow him to switch play across the field, while his physical presence and defensive awareness help protect the backline from counter-attacking threats.

The concern about his current fitness situation is therefore not merely about losing one player, but about potentially disrupting the entire tactical framework that Guardiola has spent years perfecting. When Rodri is unavailable, the team often struggles to maintain the same level of control in matches, leading to more chaotic encounters that don’t suit their preferred style of play.

Medical Considerations and Recovery Process

The nature of Rodri’s current complaint, while not specified in detail by Guardiola, appears to be distinct from the serious knee injury that sidelined him for much of the previous season. This distinction is crucial for understanding both the immediate and long-term implications of his current situation.

Recovery from major injuries, particularly those affecting the knee joint, often involves a complex rehabilitation process that extends well beyond the initial healing period. Players frequently experience various minor discomforts and concerns as they gradually return to full competitive intensity. These secondary issues, while generally less serious than the original injury, can still cause anxiety for both the player and coaching staff.

The medical team’s approach to managing Rodri’s return to full fitness will likely involve careful monitoring of his physical responses to increasing training loads and match intensity. The fact that he was able to participate in the Al Hilal match, even if briefly, suggests that his overall recovery is progressing positively, despite the concerns raised during the game.

Modern sports medicine emphasizes the importance of gradual progression when returning players to competitive action after significant injuries. This approach, while sometimes frustrating for both players and supporters eager to see immediate returns to peak performance, is essential for preventing re-injury and ensuring long-term career sustainability.

Tactical Implications and System Adjustments

Guardiola’s tactical philosophy at Manchester City has evolved considerably since his arrival, but certain fundamental principles have remained constant. The team’s possession-based approach, high defensive line, and intricate passing patterns all require specific types of players in key positions to function effectively.

Rodri’s role as the deepest-lying midfielder is particularly crucial because it serves as the foundation upon which the entire tactical structure is built. His positioning allows the center-backs to push higher up the field, provides security for the more adventurous midfielders to press forward, and offers a reliable passing option when the team needs to reset their attacking moves.

When Rodri is unavailable or not functioning at full capacity, these tactical elements can quickly become disjointed. The center-backs may be forced to sit deeper, reducing their ability to contribute to build-up play. The attacking midfielders might need to track back more frequently, limiting their offensive impact. The overall fluidity that characterizes Manchester City’s best performances can be significantly compromised.

The coaching staff’s challenge is to develop tactical alternatives that can maintain competitive effectiveness even when key players like Rodri are unavailable. This might involve adjusting the formation, modifying player roles, or implementing entirely different tactical approaches depending on personnel availability.

Fan Reactions and Expectations Management

The reaction of Manchester City supporters to both the Al Hilal defeat and Rodri’s injury concerns reflects the high expectations that have developed around the club in recent years. Success has become the norm rather than the exception, making any setbacks feel more significant than they might at other clubs.

The criticism directed toward Ederson following the Al Hilal match demonstrates how quickly fan sentiment can shift when results don’t meet expectations. This goalkeeper, who has been instrumental in many of the club’s recent successes, suddenly finds himself under intense scrutiny for what may have been isolated errors rather than systemic problems.

Similarly, any suggestion of injury problems affecting key players like Rodri immediately generates anxiety among supporters who have witnessed how dramatically the team’s performance can decline when certain individuals are unavailable. This heightened sensitivity to potential problems reflects both the passionate investment of the fanbase and their sophisticated understanding of how the team functions tactically.

Managing these expectations while dealing with genuine concerns about player fitness and team performance represents one of the ongoing challenges facing Guardiola and his coaching staff. The balance between maintaining optimism and acknowledging areas that need improvement requires careful communication and transparent leadership.

Looking Ahead: Preparations for the New Season

Despite the concerns raised by the Al Hilal defeat and Rodri’s fitness issues, there remains considerable time before the Premier League season begins in August. This window provides opportunity for addressing the identified problems and ensuring that the team is properly prepared for the competitive challenges ahead.

The coaching staff will likely use this period to continue Rodri’s rehabilitation process while simultaneously developing tactical contingencies that can be deployed if he experiences further setbacks. This dual approach acknowledges both the hope that he will return to full fitness and the practical necessity of having alternative plans in place.

Pre-season preparations will also focus on addressing the broader tactical and personnel issues that were exposed during the Al Hilal match. This might involve adjusting training methods, experimenting with different formations, or providing additional opportunities for squad players to demonstrate their readiness to contribute when called upon.

The ultimate goal remains unchanged: to ensure that Manchester City is competitive across all fronts during the upcoming season. Whether this involves relying heavily on a fully fit Rodri or adapting to function effectively without him will depend largely on how his current situation develops over the coming weeks.

Conclusion: Cautious Optimism Amid Genuine Concerns

The current situation facing Manchester City represents a complex mixture of legitimate concerns and manageable challenges. While Rodri’s fitness issues and the team’s defeat to Al Hilal are undoubtedly disappointing, they also provide valuable information about areas that require attention before the serious competition begins.

The key to navigating this period successfully lies in maintaining perspective about both the problems and the potential solutions. Rodri’s complaint about his situation during the Al Hilal match, while concerning, appears to be a minor issue related to his ongoing recovery rather than a serious new injury. The defeat itself, while frustrating, occurred during a period when the team is still building toward peak fitness and tactical cohesion.

For Manchester City supporters, the coming weeks will provide crucial indicators about how effectively the club can address these current challenges. The ultimate measure of success will not be determined by pre-season results or minor injury scares, but by the team’s ability to compete at the highest level when the Premier League season begins and the matches truly matter.

The foundation for success remains strong, with world-class players, exceptional coaching, and comprehensive support systems all in place. How these elements combine to overcome the current obstacles will determine whether Manchester City can return to the dominant form that has characterized their recent history.