‘We miss him a lot, right?’

Pep Guardiola praised Rodri’s influence on his return to Manchester City starting XI after they hit Juventus 5-2 in the Club World Cup.

City secured first in Group G with a 100 percent record as the ninth minute opener of Jeremy Doku, a goal of Pierre Kalulu and the objectives of Erling Haaland, Phil Foden and Savinho saw them facilitate the victory in Orlando.

Rodri first began since he broke his LCA in September, with the absence of the Ballon d’Or Winner during most 2024-25 seen as a key factor behind a campaign without trophies for the city in which they did not confirm the qualification of the Champions League until the last day.

His influence was clear during his 66 minutes in the countryside, and Guardiola was effusive in his compliments to the midfielder after the last dominant victory of the city.

Guardiola told Dazn: “We miss him (Rodri) a lot, right?

“Which team is not going to miss the best player in the world?! His composure knows exactly what has to do with the ball, personality, many things.

“I didn’t expect him to play so many minutes after 45, but he said: ‘Some more’, and the game was good in the second half with control, and then, it’s fine! It will be ready for the next one!”

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Guardiola was delighted with the general performance of the city, with an Ederson error for the 11 -minute equalizer of Teun Koopmeiners and the late consolation of Dusan Vlahovic for Juve, the only spots on the exhibition on his side.

“A long time ago, a long time since we did an performance like today, with and without the ball, and the players committed themselves,” Guardiola added.

“We talk about what we have to improve to be those who were in the past and happy to finish first against a superior team that demonstrated it in the past and in recent games. We are waiting for who will be our opponent.

“Listen, it’s just a game! But I think today, more than anything, players felt what we have to do to be a good team. There are no more secrets than that. It is not necessary for words or images, they played it and knew it.”

The victory will probably make City avoid facing Real Madrid in the last 16. White faces Red Bull Salzburg at the end of group H, they are expected to win to overcome that group. Salzburg and Hilal are the other possible opponents for the city in the next round.