A stadium winced. A stadium held its breath. If such things are possible, anyway, because it seemed that way. Rodri was grounded, a yellow card brandished in the direction of Reece James, who had caught him. Relief engulfed the Etihad Stadium when, if gingerly, Rodri got to his feet.
His first start in almost three months did not come to an abrupt end. And yet, even as Manchester City were given hope by an excellent performance that the Ballon d’Or winner can be far more of a factor in the second half of the season than the first, they got an unwanted reminder that injuries can assume huge consequences.
