‘Exceptional’ – Guardiola insists Manchester City coped well without Rodri in Newcastle draw | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has dismissed the suggestion that Rodri’s absence was behind Manchester City dropping points against Newcastle.

Josko Gvardiol gave City the lead in the first half before Ederson brought down Anthony Gordon in the box to concede a penalty after the break, which Gordon converted.

City will be without Rodri for the remainder of the season with a knee injury but Guardiola insists his absence was not the reason for not beating Newcastle.

He said: “Guys, I have to tell you, I know you are going to ask me all the time. Of course we are going to miss Rodri with his physicality and his presence. I know.

“But he’s not there. I’m judging what Kovacic and Rico and Bernardo and the wingers, how we have played. It was exceptional.

“I have to find a solution, we’re going to find a solution.

“I would love Rodri to be here, and Oscar Bobb and Kevin (De Bruyne). I would love it but it is what it is because it’s ten years playing 60 or 70 games.

“Sometimes it happens and we have to adapt, and we adapted really well against a strong side.

“I see my team, I recognise perfectly my team so that’s all. We had the chances to score, so clear, and we should score, and of course here in this stadium they can score.

“So apart from that, I’m satisfied.”

FEATURED IMAGE: Stu Forster/Getty Images VIA ONE FOOTBALL