What would happen if Josep Guardiola missed all the matches between now and mid-January? It would probably definitively move away from the first position in the Premier League, with Liverpool which this year seems to have another gear inserted, but then it could still rehabilitate its ranking in the Champions League: possibly impossible to reach the top eight, but City frankly he should be afraid of any team in Europe, as he has never been in recent years.
It remains to be seen whether Rodri’s injury has changed anything, after the 3-3 draw with Feyenoord there were some signs that were not extraordinary, to put it mildly. “We are fragile. We were ahead 3-0, we were playing well – said a bitter Guardiola – then we conceded goals because we are not stable. First one, then another, then another. We have been losing a lot of games lately, we are fragile. We clearly needed a victory, it would have given us confidence…”.
Realistically, Guardiola only risks his job if City were to risk relegation to the Premier League. Scenario impossible to evaluate. Like Jurgen Klopp at Liverpool, with the recent renewal Pep will remain on the bench even if he doesn’t arrive among the fab four in the Premier League. After ten years there may be a less than extraordinary season, but it is still terribly early to give up Manchester City for dead. Of course, it is obvious that it has some problems.