ETIHAD STADIUM — Pep Guardiola’s face said it all. As a stricken Rodri limped past, close to tears after picking up an injury that he knows could keep him out for a season-defining length of time, the Manchester City manager’s expression was overcome with panic.
Unable to get an explanation out of Rodri as he departed 20 minutes into a titanic bout, Guardiola stared into the space vacated by his star midfielder’s emotional exit, looking to his trusty assistants in the search of comfort. Nothing came back.
He knew what was coming. In the opening 20 minutes, the City beast was at its fire-breathing best, pressing en masse and launching wave after wave of high-octane attacks that no defence in world football can contain.
As Guardiola foresaw, City’s match, and potentially season, changed in the gut-wrenching moment that Rodri writhed around in pain in the Arsenal box.
Mikel Arteta insisted Leandro Trossard’s red card changed the course of the match, while his former master Guardiola highlighted how Arsenal’s equaliser should never have stood, the free-kick that led to Riccardo Calafiori’s stunner taken too quickly and 10 yards from where it should have been, in their eyes.
Neither were right. Had arguably the best conductor been front and centre of his fine orchestra for 90 minutes, Arsenal would almost certainly have left Manchester with their tail between their legs, knowing that whatever they do, however many club records they break, this astonishing City team will never, ever relent.
“He is strong, if he leaves the pitch, then he felt something,” Guardiola said. “Otherwise he would not leave the pitch. He is the best defensive midfielder in the world, a potential Ballon d’Or winner. It would be so great if he does win it.
“But we have to deal with it. We don’t know how long he is out. But we have to deal with it.”
If Ballon d’Or voters did not possess such a penchant for forwards, Rodri would be an absolute shoo-in for this year’s award. In Europe’s top five leagues, Rodri leads the way for passes, successful passes in the opposition half and successful passes ending in the final third. As a defensive midfielder.
The fact he is in with a chance of winning it, against all odds, say it all. As do the astonishing with and without stats. Rodri has tasted defeat, for club and country, once in 18 months – that loss against Manchester United in the FA Cup final his first in 75 matches.
Since Rodri joined, City have won 74 per cent of their matches and lost 11 per cent with the Spaniard in the side compared to 64 per cent wins and 24 losses when he misses out. Had he stayed fit every week since emerging from Fernandinho’s shadow, the 100-point mark would surely have been a staple at the Etihad and taken how we define greatness to new heights.
Going on such stats, should Rodri be out for any length of time, losing every one in five will leave City no chance of making it five titles in a row, not when Arsenal are this determined to end 20 years of hurt.
The contrast between the first 20 minutes and following 70 plus added time rubbishes the idea that even this City juggernaut are not reliant on one man.
Rodri facilitates the press, instigates most attacks and has a spatial awareness that ballroom dancers can only dream of. There is nothing Rodri cannot do. And his manager knows it.
A knee strain, and Manchester City continue to rewrite the record books. A ligament blow, and Arsenal win a first title since the Invincibles.
There are, of course, so many other variables. But given no other player, in world football, compares to Rodri, or even comes close, a team’s destiny really can be that simple to predict.
from Football - inews.co.uk https://ift.tt/qN3LESt
Post a Comment