Manchester City beat Slovan Bratislava 4-0 in the Champions League last night.
City cruised to victory in Slovakia, and it was one of the easiest games Pep Guardiola‘s side will play all season.
City completely dominated from start to finish, with Slovan rarely getting out of their own half.
There was simply a huge gulf in class between the two sides, and City could easily have scored about eight or nine had some players been a bit more clinical.
Pep went with a midfield three of Ilkay Gundogan, Matheus Nunes and Phil Foden against Slovan, with Rico Lewis inverting to offer support.
Gundogan was the deep-lying playmaker and after a bit of a sloppy start, the German really ran things – leading to high praise from TNT pundits Rio Ferdinand and Joleon Lescott.
The big conundrum for Guardiola is how he will be able to cover the absence of the best holding midfielder in the world.
Rodri has been integral for City over the last few years, and he just provides so much for the team, both defensively and offensively.
His injury is awful news. But Pep does have a few options to at least cover the Spaniard’s absence until January.
Several suggestions have been made, but Ferdinand and Lescott have both backed Gundogan – who is still finding his best level since returning in the eyes of Pep – to play in the Rodri role after his fine display against Slovan.
Speaking on TNT Sports last night after the game, Lescott said: “He showed tonight, and I think he’s capable.
“For me, he has the ability to play in all those roles equally as well.”
Ferdinand added: “I think he’s one of the most intelligent footballers around. He can just adapt to any scenario in the team, any situation you put him in he just finds a way of making it look easy and seamless.
“Even his goal today, that’s a position probably where Rodri would pick up.
“If you want someone to come in and settle the ship and settle others around him, his experience…”
One of the reasons City brought Gundogan back in the summer was because of the fact he could play as a holding midfield and offer a bit of cover for Rodri.
Due to Rodri’s injury, Gundogan will likely be used more frequently than anticipated.
He does, however, fit better at number six than in advanced midfield, most likely.
Pep has a number of choices. He may include Mateo Kovacic, Rico Lewis, and John Stones in there as well.
However, Gundogan did nothing to hurt his chances of starting in the Rodri role more frequently with his performance against Slovan.