Manchester City ploughed through to a sixth-consecutive Premier League victory of the season, but Saturday's 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest was not as straightforward as the opening half-hour suggested it may have been.
Rodri's 46th-minute red card, the first of his senior career, put City on the back foot for the entirety of a nervy second half against Forest. Pep Guardiola's side did not test goalkeeper Matt Turner while playing with ten men and completed just 65% of their passes, often hacking the ball clear before another Forest surge forward.
City are involved in three competitions across their next three matches but Rodri could be missing for as many as three games following his red card for violent conduct.
Here's what lies ahead for City without their midfield totem.
Newcastle vs Man City - Carabao Cup
Nathan Jones' brief and bizarre spell as Southampton manager last season only brought one Premier League victory but he did manage to knock City out of the Carabao Cup. Guardiola's side responded by winning every other available competition.
Newcastle United got the better of Southampton in a two-legged semi-final last January before losing the showpiece match to City's rivals Manchester United. Both the Magpies and Man City will be targeting improvements in this year's competition.
- 27/09/23 - Newcastle vs Man City (20:00)
Wolves vs Man City - Premier League
Less than a month after forcing his way out of Wolverhampton Wanderers by reportedly going on strike, Matheus Nunes will return to Molineux with his new Manchester City teammates.
There is no love lost between Nunes and the Wolves hierarchy. "I was disappointed with how it ended, it wasn't necessary the stance Matheus took," Wolves sporting director Matt Hobbs said. "Matheus is a hugely talented player but would admit that last season he didn't hit the heights he expected." Can he hit those heights against Wolves at the end of September?
- 30/09/23 - Wolves vs Man City (15:00)
RB Leipzig vs Man City - Champions League
Marco Rose has done little to mask his admiration for Guardiola. Ahead of leading Borussia Monchengladbach into a Champions League tie against City two years ago, Rose gushed: "He is a fantastic character. He has had a massive influence on world football over the past years."
The German coach claimed that City were "playing almost 'Total Football'" in 2021 but, after taking charge of RB Leipzig, later insisted that the arrival of Erling Haaland has made Guardiola's side "much more difficult to play" and "more complete". Based on Rose's fawning, his team won't have much chance in the upcoming group-stage game.
- 04/10/23 - RB Leipzig vs Man City (20:00)
Arsenal vs Man City - Premier League
Before letting out a well-timed guffaw at Manchester United's expense, Guardiola had been hailing City's closest title challengers from last season. "You know how strong Arsenal are," Guardiola said, slipping into his characteristic reverential whispering. "Yesterday [Sunday] I saw the game at Goodison Park. They are exceptional."
If the Gunners are to best City in this year's title tilt, they can scarcely afford to lose both league meetings once again. In the entire history of England's top flight, just seven champions have lost home and away to their nearest rivals during a title-winning season.
- 08/10/23 - Arsenal vs Man City (16:30)
Man City vs Brighton - Premier League
According to the clothing retailer Jacamo, there has been a surge in sales "inspired by [Roberto] De Zerbi's suave sideline style". Guardiola is not averse to a black jumper, jeans and a pair of white trainers but admires the strategic - rather than sartorial - choices made by Brighton's manager.
Last April, Guardiola lauded De Zerbi's side as the "best in the world" at building up from the back and hailed the Italian as "one of the most influential managers" of the last 20 years. The love-in is mutual, with De Zerbi revealing: "I became a coach because of him."
- 21/10/23 - Man City vs Brighton (15:00)
Young Boys vs Man City - Champions League
City may have lifted the big-eared trophy in June but it was not a stroll to their maiden Champions League crown. Guardiola's side won just one of their six away matches throughout the competition before squeezing past Inter in a tight final on neutral ground.
Swiss champions Young Boys lost their first home game in 13 months against RB Leipzig in their opening European game. City will naturally arrive as favourites but a victory should not be considered a foregone conclusion.
- 25/10/23 - Young Boys vs Man City (20:00)
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This article was originally published on 90min as Man City fixtures: Next six games after Nottingham Forest win.