Bernardo Silva has explained what he wants to see next from Rodri after the midfielder made his long-awaited return to the Manchester City starting XI against Juventus.
Manchester City are still basking in the glow of becoming the only team in the Club World Cup to win all their group games after smashing Juventus 5-2 on Thursday.
City have already bagged over £10m in prize money and set up a comfortable last 16 tie with Al-Hilal, rather than Real Madrid, after securing top spot in Group G.
The blossoming partnership between Jeremy Doku and Rayan Ait-Nouri got fans excited while Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and Savinho all got among the goals.
However, the biggest story for Pep Guardiola is that Rodri made his first start in nine months, taking another significant step in his recovery.
The Spaniard missed the vast majority of last season after suffering an ACL injury against Arsenal in September.
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Rodri did return to action before the season finished but his first start since is a massive milestone and Bernardo Silva hopes he will continue to get fitter ahead of the new campaign.
Rodri in action for Manchester City vs Juventus.
Photo by Richard Sellers/Sportsphoto/Allstar via Getty Images
Bernardo Silva gives verdict on Rodri’s return to Man City side
Speaking to DAZN after the game, Bernardo explained how much City need Rodri back to his best.
He said: “Well, I don’t need to talk about Rodri. His career speaks for itself.
“He’s really important for us.
“Hopefully, he can get his fitness better and better to be back and be at his best form, because we really need him, obviously.”
Pep Guardiola on Rodri performance vs Juventus
Rodri managed to play 65 minutes in the intense Florida heat before finally making way, more than Guardiola expected him to manage ahead of the game.
Speaking in his press conference following the victory, Guardiola explained the thinking behind Rodri’s gradual return to competition.
“We had to make a step,” he said.
“Of course, we were lucky a little bit that the sun was behind the clouds, it was hot and humid, but sooner or later, he has to play.
“It was a process of 20 minutes, 25 minutes, 35. I said OK, the idea was to play 45 minutes, but at half-time he said no I want to play five or ten minutes more, the game was under control, we had a lot of the ball, he didn’t lose a lot of transitions.
“In the last two games we conceded a lot of transitions but it didn’t happen that time.
“Everyone knows how important he is. When the best player in the world isn’t there, it’s a miss. That’s clear.
“But I’m happy he did a good 60 minutes and hopefully he can again help us a lot like he always has since he arrived.”