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Pep Guardiola speaks following Man City's defeat to Al-Hilal (Image: (Hector Vivas - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images))

Pep Guardiola revealed Rodri has suffered an injury setback following Manchester City’s elimination from the Club World Cup.

The Etihad club crashed out of the competition in the early hours of Tuesday morning as they were beaten 4-3 in extra time by Saudi outfit Al-Hilal after a pulsating last-16 clash in Orlando.

With the game level after 90 minutes, Marcos Leonardo scored the winner in the 12th minute of extra-time to cause the biggest shock of the competition.



However, Bernardo Silva had given City a ninth-minute lead, but Guardiola’s side were punished for missing a series of chances.

Rodri, who won the Ballon d’Or last year, has ramped up his comeback from a long-term knee problem in the United States.

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The Spain international came off the bench in City’s opening group matches and was once again introduced as a substitute here; however, he only lasted 47 minutes before being replaced by Phil Foden.

But speaking after the game, Guardiola revealed the midfielder had sustained an injury setback.

He said: “We have to see Rodri, he complained about his situation, but we need time to come back.”

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Reflecting on the defeat, Guardiola admitted: “We regret a little bit that we allowed them to run a bit more.

They did not create much in the first half, but we did but could not finish it.

“I had a feeling we could go through, but they punished us on the transitions.”

While he also said: “It is a pity.

The vibe was really good.

“I cannot thank the players enough for training and playing how they have been.

“But it was a difficult game.

We created a lot, and (Yassine) Bounou made incredible saves, but we were so open.

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“We would have loved to have continued, it will only be once every four years, and we had a feeling that the team was doing well.

“But we go home and now it is time to rest and rest our minds for the new season.”

City finished a huge 13 points behind Liverpool in the Premier League last season, and kick off their new campaign on Saturday, August 16 against Wolverhampton Wanderers.


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