Pep Guardiola has admitted he’s angry with Rodri after the midfielder was sent off during Manchester City’s game against Nottingham Forest.
The Spaniard, who scored the winning goal in the Champions League final and sealed the treble for the club last season, was dismissed from the game on Saturday after raising his hands and grabbing Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White around the neck — an instant red card in any instance.
Rodri will now miss Man City‘s next three games against Newcastle in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday, next Saturday’s trip to Wolves and an even bigger fixture on the calendar: Arsenal away on 8 October.
As a result, Pep was left deeply disappointed and frustrated with Rodri, confessing that he was angry with the rash reaction and adding that the 27-year-old “has to learn”.
🗣 "It's not my first season here, It's eight years here. We know each other really, really well…"
Pep Guardiola admits he is angry with Rodri, and the player has already apologised to his Manchester City teammates 😠⚽ pic.twitter.com/AY9pbtTO1x
As you can see, Guardiola took issue not only with Rodri’s violent conduct but referee Antony Taylor’s performance on the day, arguing that a tackle on Haaland in the early actions of the game should have resulted in a yellow card but was waved off, only for City centre-back Manuel Akanji to be booked moments later for a similar challenge.
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He went on to reveal that he warned everyone to “be careful” when heading in for half-time, however, soon after play resumed, a few aggressive shoves from Gibbs-White were more than enough to push Rodri over the edge and result in him seeing red — quite literally.
The Catalan did say that he thought his side played the game perfectly for the opening half an hour but that Taylor‘s refereeing led to “chaos” on the pitch and “changed the way the game was played”.
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Nevertheless, although he will have to speak with the rest of the club first, he said wouldn’t personally bother appealing the decision despite insisting that a “three-game [match ban] is too many”.
"He has to learn. He has to learn"
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola does not expect the club to appeal Rodri's red card against Nottingham Forest.#ManCity#MCFC#bbcfootball
It is worth noting that this was only Rodri’s first red at Manchester City and while he might not be as much of a master in the dark arts as his predecessor Fernandinho, he’s still become the go-to man when it comes to breaking up play and has picked up just 26 yellow cards in four years at the Etihad.
The CDM will be available for City’s Champions League match against RB Leipzig next Wednesday but won’t be eligible for a Premier League squad again until 21 October against Brighton.
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You can watch the highlights from Man City 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest, including Rodri’s red card, down below:
Featured Image — Premier League/Sky Sports (via Twitter)
Sport
Alex Sanderson summons Rudyard Kipling as Sale Sharks scrape into the semi-finals
Danny Jones
Director of Rugby Alex Sanderson referenced the famous Rudyard Kipling after Sale Sharks managed to book their place in the playoffs of this year’s Gallagher Premiership following a nail-biter of a fixture against Exeter Chiefs.
The Sharks sealed their spot in the semi-finals with a 30-26 win over the Chiefs on Saturday night, with a trio of tries, a singular pen and calmness when it came to conversions proving just enough to make it to full time.
Speaking on the narrow score at Sandy Park, Sanderson himself applauded that same composure during his post-match duties, casually quoting Kipling ahead of the next big game.
Writing on social media after nerves had just about settled, the club simply said: “Apologies for raising the heart rate, Sharks Family… but Saturday we go again.”
Beginning with an expression of that same defiant spirit that has seen them across the line on so many occasions, the 45-year-old told TNT Sports, “We got another Monday in us.”
The Sale Sharks coach went on to add: “So if you can keep your head, when everybody else is losing theirs – I think that’s the old Rudyard Kipling poem – you’re in such a better place on the back of that, knowing what we can fix from the Leicester game and what we can do better from today.”
It’s not every day you hear sportsmen calling up the poetic words of the beloved British-India writer, but it certainly impressed plenty of supporters, though Sanderson has always been popular among fans for his candour and charisma in interviews.
Ultimately, it was Rekeiti Ma’asi-White, Bevan Rodd, Luke Cowan-Dickie and George Ford that the Greater Manchester outfit had to thank for the electrifying finish
You can see how much it meant, clear as day…
Not done yet…
Thank you for your support Sharks Family, it’s truly appreciated!
Sale Sharks will now take on Leicester Tigers (who the local side finished just behind in third place following the result against the Chiefs) in the Premiership semis as they look to get revenge for previous painful meetings
Are you feeling hopeful, Sharks Family?
You can see the full highlights from Sale Sharks’ tense victory over the Exeter Chiefs down below.
Alex Sanderson channelled Rudyard Kipling and Sale scrapped like true Sharks.
Luxury Manchester gym Blok confirms permanent closure after weeks of uncertainty
Daisy Jackson
Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure, weeks after the doors to the premium fitness facility mysteriously closed.
Around a fortnight ago, members began to arrive to their classes to find the gym on Ducie Street locked up and a forfeiture notice on the door – but at the time, Blok said that it was fighting to reopen.
Sadly, in an email sent to members today, its founder has confirmed that the studio is now permanently closed.
Blok – which has several very successful sites down in London – said that its relationship with its landlord has ‘broken down to a point where trust has been lost’.
The gym wrote that it’s been left with ‘no workable way forward’.
They said: “BLOK Manchester was a space built by our loyal and dedicated community. Whether you joined us for one class or one hundred, we are deeply grateful. You helped create something genuinely special in an incredible city.”
In the immediate future, they said they’ll be supporting the team of fantastic trainers who worked here, as well as looking after members.
Members will be contacted within a few hours with options and refunds owed.
Blok Manchester has announced its permanent closure. Credit: The Manc Group
CEO and founder Ed Stanbury said: “While this marks the end of a chapter, we don’t see it as the end of our story in Manchester. We’re already speaking with developers about potential future sites and remain committed to returning to the city when the time is right.
“Thank you for being part of our story so far. Let’s shape the future of wellness. The mission continues.”
Commenting on Blok’s Instagram post – its first in almost a fortnight – people have been sharing their sadness at the closure of its Manchester site.
One person wrote: “beautiful space, beautiful staff and beautiful community.”
Another said: “Sending love to all the instructors !! :(((( gutted”
Someone else commented: “THE BEST CLASSES. I’m gutted.”
Danny Jones -
25th September 2023 
