Manchester Metropolis knew they might declare floor on title rivals Liverpool – who misplaced once more on Saturday – with a win and stay in contact with leaders Arsenal.
Three wins of their previous 4 matches retains Pep Guardiola’s facet firmly within the combine after two defeats in August – however he’ll nonetheless need Metropolis to punish their opponents when they’re on high.
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For all their dominance in possession, Metropolis couldn’t discover a second purpose to place the sport to mattress and have been liable to as soon as once more struggling a late result-altering purpose – as they did towards Brighton and Arsenal within the league and Monaco earlier this week within the Champions League.
Tijjani Reijnders compelled Caoimhin Kelleher into a great diving save when he struck properly on the volley whereas Phil Foden dragged extensive after some fast toes from Oscar Bobb, however they did not construct on that with no pictures on course within the second half.
Guardiola will, nevertheless, be happy his facet have been capable of maintain on in what felt an actual slog.
The potential lack of Rodri is maybe extra of a priority for Metropolis, who know all too properly how troublesome life will be with out him.
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It’s no coincidence that Metropolis’s worst season underneath Guardiola got here final yr when Rodri was out with an ACL harm. Nonetheless, since his return the Spaniard has struggled to get going with sporadic appearances and a number of other additional knocks.
This newest setback will create questions over whether or not Rodri will be capable to hit the identical heights he did in 2023-24, having featured simply 15 instances since then. He missed final week’s match towards Burnley due to knee ache.
Nico Gonzalez has deputised properly at instances however has not reached the extent of Metropolis’s talismanic midfielder at his finest.