Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola spoke about his Rodri belief and the level of performances in the team
BODO, NORWAY - JANUARY 20: Erling Haaland and Rodri of Manchester City look dejected during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD7 match between FK Bodo/Glimt and Manchester City at Aspmyra Stadion on January 20, 2026 in Bodo, Norway. (Photo by Michael Regan - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Rodri was sent off in Manchester City's defeat in the Champions League(Image: )
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Pep Guardiola insisted that Rodri will return to his best as he hit out at the 'disastrous' position that Manchester City find themselves in. The midfielder was sent off in a 3-1 Champions League defeat that continues a miserable January for the Blues, but Guardiola came out fighting to defend his team and the position they still occupy.
Rodri's red and his performance before that has generated more debate on whether the Ballon d'Or winner can get back to top form after such a serious injury, while City are fighting to stay in contention in the Premier League and Champions League. Three points are needed against Wolves on Saturday to avoid a fifth straight league game without a win, while victory over Galatasaray on Wednesday may not even be enough to avoid a European play-off.
Guardiola defended City's position in the Champions League despite the shock defeat to Bodo/Glimt as he mocked the standards that they are held to compared to other teams. He also continues to believe that Rodri will return to his best.
"I'm pretty sure, yeah," he said of the midfielder. "It depends on the team as well, not just on him. Eleven months injured. Give him time. He remains the best. He needs time to recover.
"I know the reason why we're struggling now, I know 100 per cent what happened with the team. Try to give a little bit more time and give it. Will it be enough? I don't know. I know it's a disaster having 13 points in the Champions League but eight teams have 13 points - one of them one of the best in the world - for them it's fine but for us it's a disaster for us. Our standards are so high, guys. I know the reason why why we are not consistent or not taking the results we are having.
"Against United without Gigio [Donnarumma] the goals difference would have been higher but in terms of Bodo I don't have that feeling. But it's so demanding. For Max [Alleyne] it will be an incredible lesson for his learning and development and we have to move forward."