Rodrygo has issued an injury update on social media ahead of Real Madrid’s trip to the Etihad Stadium. Manchester City will lock horns with Carlo Ancelotti’s side on Wednesday evening as either side hopes to progress into the Champions League semi-final.
Real Madrid salvaged a draw against the reigning champions in the first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu last week, thanks to a brilliant volley from Federico Valverde. With everything still to play for, the Spanish giants made wholesale changes against Mallorca at the weekend.
Ancelotti dropped Eduardo Camavinga, Dani Carvajal, Toni Kroos, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo to the bench. Jude Bellingham and Luka Modric were also among those who were substituted in the second half, while Eder Militao made his return from injury following a spell on the sidelines.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday afternoon, Ancelotti insisted that the changes were not due to fitness reasons – bar Rodrygo, who was nursing a knock. The 23-year-old winger put Real Madrid ahead against Manchester City last Tuesday before being replaced by Brahim Dias with little over a quarter of an hour remaining.
“I think we’re in good shape,” said the Italian. “I haven’t given a break [to some players] because of a physical aspect. Everyone was fine. Only Rodrygo, who had a knock. I didn’t want what happened with Almeria to happen.
“Everyone who has played less has delivered. Joselu, Brahim… Brahim missed an incredible chance, but he played a spectacular game. [Luka] Modric was very well too. We’re not going to win the game physically, but because of attitude. City are physically very strong.”
While doubt has been cast over Rodrygo’s availability, the Brazil international has issued an update on his recovery. Taking to Instagram ahead of the Champions League quarterfinal second leg, he posted a four-picture collage of himself working with a personal trainer in the gym.
Rodyrgo is seen lifting a 22kg dumbbell, throwing a medicine ball and doing a sit-up. For now, it remains to be seen whether or not the Brazilian will feature against Manchester City, but he will be travelling to the Etihad Stadium for the fixture and seems to be fine.
Speaking to the official club website this week, Pep Guardiola insisted that his side will throw the kitchen sink at Real Madrid – figuratively speaking anyway! The former Barcelona boss said: “It is difficult on Wednesday against Real Madrid but at the same time let’s try it, let’s go to do it with our people together, whatever happens.
“Because they know we will give everything. Everything. There is not one minute where we will not do what we have to do to be a humble team, a solidarity team, to try to attack them. We believe we can do it with all our desire to do it.
“I want the Etihad full. Go there and let them feel just that we want to try it again and get to the semi-final. This is what we want to feel from our crowd and from ourselves from minute one to the end.”
