Manchester City handed positive Rodri fitness update after his ACL injury earlier in the season: Reports

Manchester City have reportedly received a positive fitness update about Ballon d'Or winner Rodri, following his long-term ACL injury earlier in the season. The Spaniard had to leave the pitch with an injury during City's 2-2 draw against Arsenal on September 22.

Rodri has been out of contention since then and was expected to be unavailable for the rest of the season. The Cityzens have struggled in his absence, winning only four out of 10 league matches since the game against Arsenal.

However, Manchester City could have Rodri available sooner than expected, which will be a huge boost for the club. According to The Sun (via GOAL), Rodri's rehabilitation from surgery is going well and he has already started running.

The report claimed that Rodri has impressed medics with his range of motion. He could return to full fitness before the end of the 2024-25 season.

Manchester City will look forward to the return of the 28-year-old, who helped them win the Premier League trophy four times in a row. Rodri also won Euro 2024 with Spain, pushing him ahead of Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior in the 2024 Ballon d'Or rankings.

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"I’m sad for the players" - Pep Guardiola on Manchester City's poor run of form

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola talked about the team's poor run of form after their 2-0 defeat to Juventus in the Champions League at the Allianz Stadium on Wednesday, December 11. City have recorded just one win in their last 10 matches across competitions, a run which includes seven defeats.

Guardiola told the press (via The Guardian):

"We are sad. I’m sad for the players because the way they run and they fight with the circumstances they have. Our fans, maybe they are sad, I understand completely because maybe we lose seven games, eight games in one season or in two seasons, and now a month and a half."

"But they know this group of players have made an era that no one has done. The numbers and records, now negative ones but the positive ones, I encourage [the fans] to support them until the end because they deserve it."

Manchester City are set to face Manchester United in their local Premier League derby later today (December 15) at the Etihad Stadium. The Cityzens will hope they can take all three points in front of their fans.