Enzo Maresca has revealed that Rodri will miss the Community Shield clash against Arsenal, but Erling Haaland should be fit.
Manchester City face the Gunners on Sunday in Cardiff as last season’s FA Cup winners and Premier League champions, respectively, do battle in the campaign’s traditional curtain-raiser.
Competitive Debut
The fixture will also mark Maresca’s competitive debut as City head coach after replacing the hugely successful Pep Guardiola, who stepped down at the end of last season.
Due to this summer’s World Cup, there have been staggered returns for the majority of the Man City squad, meaning the Italian has had limited, to no time, with several key players.
Rodri’s Recovery
Rodri is among them, having undergone minor back surgery after leading Spain to World Cup glory. The midfielder, who has been linked with a move to Barcelona, returned to the club on Friday after an extended holiday, but looks set to be unavailable for the Arsenal game.
“When he's ready to start training sessions, he will, and this is his programme,” Maresca said in the pre-match press conference. “As I've said, I've given him a big hug, and now we have time to see each other a bit more when I am in the building.”
Haaland and Squad Fitness
Maresca has also allayed any fears over Haaland’s fitness after the Norway international sat out the last part of Thursday’s open training session.
“He was ok, he had just a small thing behind ears, but he was ok,” the Man City boss added. “The only one is Ryan McAidoo because as you know in pre-season he had a small problem but he is already working with us, so everyone is fit. Knowing that some of them, they are just arriving two days ago.”
