Manchester City may have yet another name added to their list of unavailable players going into their UEFA Champions League meeting with Bayer Leverkusen, following confirmation from Pep Guardiola that Rodri and Kovacic will both sit out the fixture.
City returned to domestic action at the weekend but failed to regain momentum. A Harvey Barnes double, split by a Ruben Dias low shot, condemned the champions to defeat and pushed them down to third in the Premier League standings.
Arsenal’s commanding 4–1 victory over Tottenham widened the gap at the top of the table to six points, piling further pressure on Guardiola’s men as the season approaches its busiest stretch.
While City’s form has remained steady in Europe, Guardiola is expected to rotate his squad as they approach matchday five of the group stage.
Three wins and a draw from their opening four outings place qualification firmly within reach, and the manager is likely to manage minutes carefully as the schedule tightens.
Phil Foden has been central to City’s strong European run, producing a standout display with a brace in the 4–1 triumph over Borussia Dortmund.
That performance came during a week in which City went on to beat defending Premier League champions Liverpool, showcasing the side’s ability to shift gears when required on the continental stage.
However, the build-up to Leverkusen has been overshadowed by growing concerns over squad availability.
Rodri, still working his way back after a hamstring problem, and Kovacic, recovering from recent heel surgery, were already confirmed absentees during Guardiola’s pre-match media duties.
According to the manager, with the exception of Rodri and Kovacic the remainder of the squad was expected to be fit and ready for selection.
Guardiola explained that Kovacic’s surgery and Rodri’s gradual return to full fitness left both players unavailable at the weekend against Newcastle, with their timelines unchanged ahead of the European fixture.
Leverkusen, meanwhile, could include on-loan City youngster Claudio Echeverri in their squad for the trip to the Etihad, adding an intriguing subplot as the German side look to strengthen their position in the group.
Phillips missing despite Guardiola’s clear fitness assessment
Despite Guardiola’s insistence that the squad — aside from Rodri and Kovacic — was in full health, Kalvin Phillips was unexpectedly absent from Monday’s training session.
According to CityXtra, the midfielder’s omission was noted during the team’s open session, raising fresh questions about his short- and long-term prospects at the club.
Phillips has struggled for meaningful minutes since arriving at the Etihad, and his future has been the subject of speculation for months.
Although his absence from the session was reported, it did not come as a major surprise given his diminishing role. For many observers, the midfielder appears increasingly set for an exit, with the January transfer window looming as a pivotal moment.
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Meanwhile, Rodri will be seriously missed by the Cityzens. The Spainsh remains central to the team’s control and rhythm. Also, Kovacic has been an important option in midfield progression, while Phillips is inconsequential to the City team.
The situation places added importance on the availability and form of players like Nico Gonzalez, Foden, and Bernardo Silva, who may need to carry additional responsibilities in the centre of the pitch.
Guardiola will also look toward his wide options and attacking core to maintain the team’s tempo and stability in the absence of a natural midfield anchor.
With qualification within touching distance, City are expected to approach the match with confidence despite the personnel concerns.
Their European campaign so far has featured controlled performances, clinical finishing, and impressive squad adaptability — traits they may need to rely on heavily once more.
