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Time is needed for Rodri, Manchester City's rhythmic playmaker. Coming back after a serious cruciate ligament injury was always going to be challenging. He returned cautiously at the conclusion of the previous campaign after an extended absence and is still adapting to a role the Ballon d’Or winner had made his own.

Pep Guardiola has been quite clear that Rodri isn't yet ready with the demands of completing three games in a week and, therefore, it was no surprise to see him withdraw the 29-year-old after an hour of the 2-2 draw in Monaco, having left him out entirely for the weekend win over Burnley. There are little doubt that Rodri will return to his best, but the mechanics of the body need to align with the mind and that, understandably, is not instantaneous after such a significant injury. What is equally evident is that City need to assess their replacement strategy.

Late penalty for Monaco denies Manchester City after brace from Haaland

Nico González took over from Rodri at the Stade Louis II and created controversy by introducing his shin pad to Eric Dier's face in the dying moment of the game. That ill-judged action denied his team three points and since arriving from Portugal for almost £50m, the young midfielder has rarely given the impression of being a permanent solution for Rodri. Certainly, he has improved this season following a period of acclimatisation to life in England, but it continues uncertain that he can be a key defensive member of a team competing for trophies in the English top flight and in Europe.

Mateo Kovacic has been an unused substitute in the past two games after recovering from surgery. The Croatian was the preferred option in the No 6 role during Rodri's absence, offering a combative alternative, helped by being more accustomed to the Premier League than González, but he too is not a future solution, especially given he is 31-years-old. The second part of the central partnership is Tijjani Reijnders, who keeps developing in the role Guardiola wants him to play. The Dutchman can frequently appear on the opponent's penalty area, keen to take shots. He is obviously a technically gifted player but needs to use the ball quicker when City are facing low blocks, as they did in midweek. And in general, he is not the solution for Rodri.

Securing a backup for Rodri has consistently proven challenging because his list of personal and team accolades speak for themselves. Kalvin Phillips was rapidly judged incapable to handle the demands and responsibility of a pivotal role, becoming an initial casualty of Rodri's exceptional ability.

It was in Monaco in 2017 that Guardiola realized how extensively needed to change at City, going on to rebuild the team after exiting the Champions League to a side that featured Fabinho, Bernardo Silva and an teenage Kylian Mbappé. After a sustained period of success, it is minor adjustments that now need to be made, especially after significant spending in recent windows.

Guardiola is correctly anticipating a successful campaign for his team, although their performance in Monaco did not indicate a comeback yet to their peak European performance. City experienced lapses in concentration against the French opponents, resulting in too much space for the opener and a late kick to the face. Overall they are relying too heavily on the clinical finishing that Erling Haaland provides, with the Norwegian's brace in the recent match taking his tally for the season to an remarkable 11 strikes in eight appearances.

Immediate Issues and Long-term Solutions

That is partly an immediate worry; in the future there persists the obvious requirement to put together a successful succession plan for Rodri. If City were to look inside the Premier League for an alternative, Elliot Anderson at Nottingham Forest or Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton are at the appropriate stage and have the necessary qualities and attitude for the task of rivaling with the Spaniard and, potentially, taking his place.

The cogs will be whirring in City's recruitment room, with those responsible evaluating various defensive midfielders around the world. None will have the same skillset and capability of the current incumbent, but that does not mean that the search can stop. Phillips, Kovacic and González have been failed to measure up with Rodri; the next in through the door simply cannot follow the identical trajectory.