‘It’ll make us stronger for the next months… personally I think we have enough players to beat this problem’: Manchester City midfielder Rodri unfazed by their defensive injuries
- Aymeric Laporter and John Stones are both out injured for Manchester City
- Fernandinho has been filling in at centre back alongside Nicolas Otamendi
- City manager Pep Guardiola has been impressed by summer signing Rodri
- They host Dinamo Zagreb in the Champions League on Tuesday night
Rodri insisted Manchester City’s injury problems are uniting the squad and making them stronger.
Pep Guardiola is without Aymeric Laporte and Leroy Sane until the new year, while John Stones has also been missing.
City have been stretched at the back, with Fernandinho filling in for the absent Stones, but Rodri City have enough to overcome any issues.
Manchester City midfielder Rodri believes they can cope despite injuries to some key players
Injuries to Aymeric Laporte (pictured) and John Stones have left City short defensively
‘We’re missing some important players but it’ll make us stronger for the next months,’ the midfielder said.
‘It’s not an excuse. We can’t give up. We have to fight in all the games. Personally I think we have enough players to beat this problem. We’re working hard to win every game in this situation.’
The 22-year-old has anchored midfield as Fernandinho drops further back alongside Nicolas Otamendi.
Guardiola has been enthused by the £60million summer signing’s performances but Rodri admitted he still has much to learn.
Fernandinho and Mikel Arteta have become big influences in his opening weeks at the Etihad Stadium since moving from Atletico Madrid.
Fernandinho (centre) has to fill in as a makeshift centre back for the Premier League holders
‘Sometimes I’d be a bit relaxed like in Spain but here you don’t have it,’ Rodri added. ‘In Spain we say slow down but here you can’t. I need those matches to adapt but I like it.
‘Fernandinho has helped me. He taught me a little bit. It’s not easy to be in this team. He has a lot of experience. I have lots of things to learn.
‘I’m not used to this position. We don’t have many defensive players. I like this. I think it’s the best position I fit in most.
‘The first matches can be difficult. I’ll get better of course. The fact I play alone with no other defensive midfielder. It’s a challenge for me. I have to read the games and learn this position.’
City manager Pep Guardiola has been enthused by Rodri since his £60m arrival in the summer