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One of the more influential players for Manchester City in their 1-nil win over Leeds was Rodri. Manchester City’s midfield lynchpin was superb at Elland Road. He covered the pitch exceptionally well, and his performance both in and out of possession was reminiscent of Rodri at his Ballon d’Or-winning best. Over the past month, Rodri has begun to resemble the player who has always steadied the ship in midfield for Pep Guardiola’s side. As Manchester City enters a critical phase of the season, they will be buoyed by the knowledge that Rodri is almost back to his best.
Rodri was superb against Leeds at Elland Road and his performances are getting better with every match.
Against Leeds at Elland Road, Rodri put in a superb overall performance. The Spanish midfielder was very good in possession, and he covered the pitch extremely well to help Manchester City keep a clean sheet. Rodri’s battle to get back to full fitness and rediscover his touch during the first half of this season is well-documented. The Ballon d’Or winner has now gotten through that. He has begun to resemble the player who has long been an integral member of Pep Guardiola’s side. Against Leeds, he put in one of his best displays for the season to help City pick up a vital three points.
Rodri covered the pitch extremely well against Leeds. The charts below illustrate where Rodri received the ball and where he performed the majority of his defensive actions. It was a performance that resembled Rodri at his most damaging in all aspects of his game. In possession, Rodri showed his full arsenal, whether that was him dropping back to help City play out from the back or further up the pitch. Rodri’s wide array of passing was on full display. He played a key role in Manchester City’s control of the match, besides the opening twenty minutes and final ten minutes of the game against Leeds.
Defensively, Rodri was more than solid. He read danger exceptionally well in midfield. The Spanish midfielder also helped out defensively on set pieces. It was a fine performance at Elland Road by Rodri. Perhaps it was his best of the season given what was at stake.
The current Manchester City midfield set up has allowed Rodri to work his way back to near his best.
Recently, Pep Guardiola has preferred Rodri, Bernardo Silva, and Nico O’Reilly in midfield. The trio has formed a solid midfield foundation for Manchester City. Their games complement each other. Bernardo Silva and Rodri bring experience and guile to City’s midfield. Nico O’Reilly brings athleticism, technical ability, and an ability to win duels and score goals. The trio has gelled superbly well in midfield. There is also another benefit to having Nico O’Reilly and Bernardo Silva alongside Rodri in midfield.
Nico O’Reilly and Bernardo Silva both cover the pitch exceptionally well. As Rodri has fought his way to full fitness, he has needed their support in midfield. The pair having the ability to win duels and get back defensively has taken responsibility off Rodri’s shoulders. This allowed Rodri to regain his touch and confidence. We saw the benefits of this against Leeds as Rodri now has his touch back and his confidence after a frustrating experience due to the ACL injury he sustained last season and his subsequent recovery.
Rodri was superb for Manchester City during their win over Leeds at Elland Road last weekend. The Spanish midfielder is back to looking like the player who has been the heartbeat of Manchester City’s midfield for so long. It is a huge positive for City to have Rodri getting back to his best in terms of his play and fitness. In fact, it could potentially be decisive for City if Rodri’s form holds and he continues to play like he did against Leeds as this season reaches a pivotal stage.