Pep Guardiola has issued a stern warning to Rodri after the Manchester City midfielder was sent off in the 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest. The Spain international received a straight red card just 27 seconds into the second half for grabbing Morgan Gibbs-White around the throat, leaving City to play over 50 minutes with ten men.
Guardiola, visibly furious, revealed he had warned his players at half-time to keep their emotions in check. “I said at half-time to the players to be careful, to control themselves but Rodri couldn’t do that. I am angry with him but he apologised after the game. Rodri has to control himself and his emotions,” the City boss said.
The red card means Rodri will miss the crucial Premier League clash against Arsenal next month, as well as fixtures against Newcastle and Wolves. Guardiola, who was himself booked during the match, added: “Today he wasn’t one of the best players in the world! I don’t like to play with 10 men. I can get a yellow card but Rodri can’t.”
Despite the setback, City held on comfortably thanks to first-half goals from Phil Foden and Erling Haaland. Guardiola praised his side’s resilience, telling BBC Sport: “An exceptional game in the first half. Exceptional game in the second for our resilience and our work because we played 51/52 minutes ten against eleven so it was not easy but we were fantastic.”
