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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<ul><li>Guardiola joked about resting Rodri against Real</li><li>Spanish midfielder did not play against Luton</li><li>Provided update on Walker, Ake and Stones</li></ul><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

Rodri to be rested against Real Madrid?! Pep Guardiola jokes about exhausted Man City midfielder after leaving him out against Luton

After Manchester City's 3-3 draw against Madrid during in the Champions League quarter-final first leg at Santiago Bernabeu, ace midfielder <a href="https://www.goal.com/en/lists/i-need-a-rest-rodri-message-to-pep-guardiola-rusty-performance-real-madrid-man-city-star-clings-on-unbeaten-run/blt5ebb126ba8476d6b#cse77f386cfb588f2d" target="_blank">Rodri had urged Guardiola to give him some rest</a> as he felt exhausted. Accordingly, the City boss did not include the Spaniard in his starting lineup in the 5-1 win against Luton Town in the Premier League on Saturday.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Dutch defender Nathan Ake and England international Kyle Walker returned to the matchday squad after being left out of the Champions League clash due to injury. John Stones too was rested for the clash against Hatters as the <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/big-trouble-pep-guardiola-man-city-injury-rodri-premier-league-title-arsenal-liverpool/blt9fee9e5e84c87fc2" target="_blank">manager confirmed that the English centre-back had a niggle</a>.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

When asked about the injury status of his players, the Catalan coach told reporters: "John has some problems, some niggles. He’s fine. He’s not injured but doesn’t feel comfortable, so we didn’t take a risk. Nathan and Kyle wanted to be on the bench, so I said, ‘okay, go on the bench."When asked if Rodri benefited after getting a much-needed rest, Guardiola added, "Absolutely. He is going to rest on Wednesday as well. You believe me?"

WHAT PEP GUARDIOLA SAID

The reigning English champions will next face Los Blancos in the second leg at Etihad Stadium on Wednesday before meeting Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final on April 20.

WHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER CITY?

Rodri to be rested against Real Madrid?! Pep Guardiola jokes about exhausted Man City midfielder after leaving him out against Luton | Goal.com

Pep Guardiola jokingly claimed he would bench exhausted Rodri against Real Madrid the Champions League quarter-final second leg.

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