Pep Guardiola 'misses' Rodri after Man City experimentation during Newcastle draw

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has conceded he needs to find a solution without key midfielder Rodri, if his side are to clinch a fifth consecutive title.

The champions were held to a draw at Newcastle, just days after Rodri was ruled out for the rest of the season due to a torn cruciate ligament suffered during last weekend’s intense 2-2 encounter with Arsenal.

City felt Rodri’s absence acutely last season with their three Premier League defeats all coming without the Spanish star on the pitch. Guardiola attempted to plug the gap with Mateo Kovacic, Ilkay Gundogan, and Rico Lewis at St James’ Park, yet the makeshift solution fell short.

Guardiola reflected: “I would love Rodri to be here. But he isn’t and so I have to find solutions. We played really well with Kovacic and Rico, and then afterwards Bernardo (Silva). I saw my team and I recognise them perfectly.

“I miss Rodri for his qualities and today Newcastle were strong and started really well. The intensity of their press made it difficult for us. We played better after we scored and we had other chances, especially at the end with Bernardo and Phil Foden.

“We make a mistake and then they play better. But then we took the game again and had chances to win it. In general we played really good.

“We made bad decisions at the last moment to make it 2-0 and it is always difficult here with their physicality and they defend so deep. We had chances but (Nick) Pope was brilliant so we take the point.”

Man City went ahead through Josko Gvardiol’s first-half goal, but their lead was cancelled out as ex-Everton star Anthony Gordon levelled the score from the spot following a foul by City’s goalkeeper Ederson.

Guardiola shared his thoughts on the incident: “I didn’t see the penalty so I don’t know if Anthony Gordon was touched or he touched Ederson – but a penalty is a penalty.

“I said to Eddie Howe how I admire him for how he approaches a game, first in high pressing. His team is so direct. Newcastle struggled last season for just one reason – how many injuries they had.”

City next travel to Bratislava for a Champions League clash on Tuesday night, ahead of their match against Fulham at home on October 5 – their last Premier League fixture before the players head off for the international break.