Rodri, Manchester City’s skilled No. 16, is set to make a return to the pitch after serving a suspension that followed a red card he received during a Premier League match. This suspension only applies to domestic matches, allowing him to participate in other competitions, including the upcoming Carabao Cup match against Newcastle United. The Wednesday fixture will mark Rodri’s first absence due to the suspension, followed by a miss in the Premier League match against Wolves on Saturday.
The crucial date to mark on the calendar is Sunday, October 8, as it signifies the end of Rodri’s domestic suspension, making him available for selection in the Premier League once again. Specifically, he’ll be eligible to play in the Premier League match against Arsenal, presenting a timely return for the talented Spain international. Moreover, this means that Rodri will also be back in action for the UEFA Champions League clash against RB Leipzig on Wednesday, October 4, just before the Arsenal game at the Emirates Stadium.
It’s essential to emphasize that Rodri’s suspension is exclusive to domestic matches due to the red card he received in a Premier League fixture. Consequently, this suspension won’t affect his availability for European matches. Had the incident occurred during a European match, the repercussions would have involved a three-game suspension in European competitions. However, he would still be eligible to participate in Premier League encounters as well as FA Cup and Carabao Cup matches.
While Rodri’s absence from domestic competitions is indeed a setback for both Pep Guardiola and Manchester City, his return will be eagerly anticipated, especially for the challenging face-off against RB Leipzig. In the context of the UEFA Champions League, RB Leipzig is viewed as Manchester City’s toughest opponent in Group G. Contrasting with teams like Red Star Belgrade and Young Boys, this German side poses a significant challenge, and having Rodri available for this encounter should boost the confidence of City supporters, who are eager to see their team excel and secure victory in their UEFA Champions League group.
