- Guardiola furious after sending off
- City boss adamant that players must control emotions
- Citizens squad set to be stretched
Manchester City’s manager, Pep Guardiola was incensed, after his Manchester City side played most of the second half with 10 men when Rodri was dismissed in a bad-tempered encounter with Nottingham Forest.
Guardiola blasts Rodri and referee Taylor
Guardiola expressed frustration towards both City midfielder Rodri and the referee, Anthony Taylor, following his side’s 2-0 victory over Forest. Guardiola was irked by Rodri’s red card for violent conduct, which will result in a three-match ban, including a crucial fixture against title rivals Arsenal.
Furthermore, Guardiola voiced his discontent with referee Anthony Taylor, suggesting that Taylor lost control of the game. Taylor gave out a total of 11 yellow cards (10 to players and 1 to Guardiola himself). The Catalan believed that this high number of bookings contributed to the chaotic nature of the match.
Guardiola emphasised the importance of players maintaining their composure and keeping their emotions in check. He noted that while he can afford to receive a yellow card, players like Rodri cannot, given their pivotal roles on the field. Guardiola drew parallels to a comparable incident involving Kyle Walker in the previous season’s Champions League, underscoring the need for players to exercise restraint.
“Hopefully Rodri will learn,” Guardiola stated “He had to control himself and his emotions. I can get a yellow card, but Rodri can’t. I don’t play – the guys who do have to be careful.
“Kyle has done this in the past – they know they shouldn’t do it – but it is emotions. Whatever happens, you have to control yourself. I am angry, because I don’t like playing with 10 men.
“I said to the players at half-time to be careful because of what had happened in the last 10 minutes [of the first half] but we fell into the trap.”
Rodri, who was described by Guardiola as the best holding midfielder in the world in midweek, will miss City’s upcoming EFL Cup game at Newcastle United on Wednesday, plus the Premier League matches against Wolves next Saturday and away at Arsenal on Sunday October 8.
Betting Implications
Rodri is a key player for City and will be missing for three matches. A player of Rodri’s quality would always have been missed, however, City have a lot of players out of action at the moment so Guardiola’s squad is already being stretched.
So far, City have swept all before them in the Premier League and in the Champions League. However, the games are coming thick and fast, so bettors will need to assess what affect the absence of Rodri alongside the likes of Kevin de Bruyne and Bernardo Silva, plus the amount of matches will have on Guardiola’s side’s chances up until the international break.
