Manchester City will be without Ballon d’Or winner Rodri for their match against Sunderland, prompting Pep Guardiola to praise the Black Cats as a “good challenge,” while Sunderland boss Régis Le Bris is set to risk playing two players one booking away from a derby suspension.
Manchester City faces a significant challenge ahead of their clash with Sunderland as midfielder Rodri is confirmed out due to injury.
The absence of the 2024 Ballon d’Or winner is a boost for Régis Le Bris’s Sunderland side, which recently secured an excellent point against Liverpool.
City manager Pep Guardiola stated Rodri “is getting better,” but added, “I don’t know how long [until he’s back] but he will be ready.”
Guardiola also praised Sunderland, calling them a “good challenge” and stating they “deserve to be where they are” after 14 fixtures.
Meanwhile, Le Bris hinted he will risk playing Granit Xhaka and Noah Sadiki, despite both being one yellow card away from a suspension that would rule them out of the upcoming Wear-Tyne derby.