Manchester City’s Mr. Ballon d’Or has turned into a porcelain doll! Guardiola doesn’t dare to use him in double matches every week

In Thursday's Champions League match, Manchester City defeated Dortmund 4-1 at home, winning three consecutive games in all competitions. But in this game, "Mr. Golden Ball" Rodri was once again absent from Manchester City's game roster. In last weekend's Premier League match, Rodri had just returned from injury and got the chance to come on as a substitute in the 90th minute. As for his absence from the Champions League match squad in mid-week, it is likely that Guardiola is deliberately protecting him.

Rodri has missed four of the past five games since straining his hamstring at Brentford in early October. He returned last Sunday and entered the squad against Bournemouth, and got the chance to come on as a substitute in the 90th minute. At first, Manchester City fans thought that Guardiola's move was to allow Rodri to find his condition so that he could participate in the Champions League match against Dortmund in midweek. However, in this Champions League game, he once again took the exemption card.

Guardiola confirmed before the game that Rodri "still doesn't feel perfect", so the team decided not to take risks. The Manchester City coach said that he will not be out for a long time, but needs more time to recover. After suffering a serious ACL injury last year that cost him most of the season, Rodri's road to return has always been bumpy. He returned early in May this year and participated in the Club World Cup with the team, but he has been plagued by minor injuries since then.

In September, Guardiola arranged for Rodri to start four consecutive games. Then he strained his hamstring in the game against Brentford (October 5). At that moment, Guardiola realized that Rodri was no longer the same person as before and had to be used protectively. Rodri himself is still optimistic. He believes that he can play against Everton immediately after the international break in October, but he did not make his comeback until November 3.

"Rodri was and still is an outstanding player," Guardiola said last month. "Everyone knows that. But I told Rodri that maybe he couldn't accept it for a while. It's not a question of fully recovering after six or seven months. 'Oh, I can play in eight months and be back to the old Rodri.' "

"Rodri will be at the World Cup next summer. That is the best Rodri; next season will be the best Rodri. As for this season, we can only take it step by step. After all, he has been lying on the massage bed for a year. His physical condition and game rhythm have changed, and it will take time. As long as he stays healthy and trains as planned, he will eventually return."

This season, Rodri has only played 8 times for Manchester City, with an attendance rate of less than 50%. This weekend, Manchester City will face Liverpool at home. Can Rodri return in time? Let's wait and see.