Manchester City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, expressed his delight at the return of Spain midfielder Rodri to training. However, he remains uncertain whether Rodri will participate in the upcoming FA Cup final, stating that his involvement depends on the medical staff’s assessment. Rodri, who suffered a severe knee injury in September, was initially expected to miss the remainder of the season after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament in a 2-2 draw against Arsenal.
The 28-year-old’s absence contributed to Manchester City’s struggle in the league, ultimately ending their streak of four consecutive Premier League titles. Liverpool secured the championship for the 2024/25 season. Despite this setback, City has bounced back and is currently in fourth place, aiming for a top-five finish to secure a Champions League spot.
The team will face Crystal Palace in their third consecutive FA Cup final on May 17 after defeating Nottingham Forest 2-0 in the semifinals. Guardiola praised Rodri’s progress in training but emphasized that his return to play hinges on the clearance from the medical team. “The moment the physio and doctor say ‘Rodri can start to play minutes’, after that, he will play,” Guardiola remarked.
The manager also addressed the situation regarding star striker Erling Haaland, who has been sidelined since March due to an ankle injury. Guardiola confirmed that while Haaland is improving, he will unlikely feature in the upcoming match against Wolves.
City now faces a challenging game against a rejuvenated Wolves side. Under their new manager, Vitor Pereira, the Wolves have won six consecutive matches. Guardiola acknowledged their impressive form, highlighting the quality and confidence within the Wolves squad.
Despite these positive signs, Guardiola made it clear that a combination of FA Cup success and Champions League qualification would not make this season a success for City, given their significant gap from Liverpool in the league standings. “This season has not been good,” Guardiola concluded, emphasizing the club’s ongoing pursuit of improvement.
