Pep Guardiola expressed strong discontent with Rodri’s conduct after he received a red card during Manchester City’s match against Nottingham Forest. Guardiola, during a press conference on Manchester City’s official website following the 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest, was visibly disappointed with the incident. Rodri, who had been playing exceptionally well, made a grave mistake by putting his hands on Morgan Gibbs-White’s neck, resulting in a violent conduct dismissal in the 46th minute.
The Catalan manager did not mince words when asked if he was upset with Rodri’s actions. He confirmed his dissatisfaction, emphasizing the importance of maintaining composure during the game. Guardiola acknowledged Rodri’s significant contributions to the match until that point, particularly praising a remarkable pass to Kyle Walker that set up Phil Foden’s opening goal. However, he firmly stated that Rodri needed to control his emotions better, especially in crucial moments of the game.
During halftime, Guardiola had cautioned all players to exercise caution and control their emotions. He stressed that despite the comfortable position they were in during the game, they needed to stay focused and composed. Unfortunately, Rodri did not heed this advice, leading to his early exit from the match.
Guardiola also highlighted the need for Rodri to learn from this incident and not let emotions dictate his actions on the field. He emphasized the importance of maintaining discipline and composure, especially in high-stakes matches. Guardiola pointed out that while he, as a coach, could afford to receive a yellow card, players like Rodri couldn’t, as their absence could significantly impact the team’s performance.
Looking ahead, the absence of Rodri due to suspension poses a challenge for Manchester City, particularly in their upcoming match against Arsenal. Guardiola acknowledged that Rodri’s absence would be felt, as he is a pivotal player for the team. The lack of a top-tier substitute for Rodri further compounds the issue for City, making the match against Arsenal more challenging.