![Manchester City has included injured midfielder Rodri in their Champions League knockout phase squad, signaling optimism about his potential return this season. The Spanish international, who suffered an ACL tear against Arsenal on September 22, has targeted an April comeback, coinciding with the Champions League quarterfinals which begin April 8. In meeting UEFA's Thursday midnight deadline for updated squad lists, City made strategic choices within the three-player limit for midseason transfers. The club opted to exclude recent Palmeiras signing Vitor Reis, while incorporating new arrivals Nico Gonzalez, Omar Marmoush, and Abdukodir Khusanov. The inclusion of Rodri, who scored the winning goal in the 2023 final against Inter Milan, comes as City faces a challenging path in the competition. Their immediate hurdle is a two-leg knockout playoff against Real Madrid, scheduled for next Tuesday and February 19. The victor will advance to face either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16. Pep Guardiola, speaking to reporters on Friday, maintained his focus on immediate challenges, particularly City's FA Cup match against Leyton Orient. "After the game [at Orient] we will come back early to Manchester and after we have time to start to talk [about Real Madrid]," he stated, emphasizing his commitment to treating each competition with equal importance. The City manager expressed particular enthusiasm about the addition of Nico Gonzalez, viewing the 23-year-old as crucial cover for Rodri's position. "It's a position where we were weak after the absence from Rodri," Guardiola noted, adding, "I know him from the Barcelona academy and his father was working here. I'm really pleased from the effort of the club to bring him here for the next years."](https://www.claritynewsdaily.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/Injured-Ballon-dOr-Winner-Gets-Surprise-Champions-League-Call-scaled.webp)
Manchester City has included injured midfielder Rodri in their Champions League knockout phase squad, signaling optimism about his potential return this season. The Spanish international, who suffered an ACL tear against Arsenal on September 22, has targeted an April comeback, coinciding with the Champions League quarterfinals which begin April 8.
In meeting UEFA’s Thursday midnight deadline for updated squad lists, City made strategic choices within the three-player limit for midseason transfers. The club opted to exclude recent Palmeiras signing Vitor Reis, while incorporating new arrivals Nico Gonzalez, Omar Marmoush, and Abdukodir Khusanov.
The inclusion of Rodri, who scored the winning goal in the 2023 final against Inter Milan, comes as City faces a challenging path in the competition. Their immediate hurdle is a two-leg knockout playoff against Real Madrid, scheduled for next Tuesday and February 19. The victor will advance to face either Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16.
Pep Guardiola, speaking to reporters on Friday, maintained his focus on immediate challenges, particularly City’s FA Cup match against Leyton Orient. “After the game [at Orient] we will come back early to Manchester and after we have time to start to talk [about Real Madrid],” he stated, emphasizing his commitment to treating each competition with equal importance.
The City manager expressed particular enthusiasm about the addition of Nico Gonzalez, viewing the 23-year-old as a crucial cover for Rodri’s position. “It’s a position where we were weak after the absence from Rodri,” Guardiola noted, adding, “I know him from the Barcelona academy and his father was working here. I’m really pleased with the effort of the club to bring him here for the next years.”
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