Maresca Confirms Rodri Aug. 14 Return After City Beat Atlético 3-1

Enzo Maresca announced that Rodri will return to Manchester City on Aug. 14 following a 3-1 victory against Atlético Madrid in Seoul.

Manchester City secured a 3-1 comeback victory against Atlético Madrid in Seoul on Sunday, despite trailing at the interval to a 43rd-minute goal from Jorge Dominguez. Omar Marmoush spearheaded the turnaround with a quickfire brace, including a goal created by an outstanding Antoine Semenyo assist, before Rayan Aït-Nouri finalized the scoring with a third goal late in the match. Following the result, manager Enzo Maresca confirmed that midfielder Rodri is scheduled to rejoin the squad in Manchester on Aug. 14.

Key details

Manchester City recently dismissed a €50 million ($58 million) transfer proposal from Barcelona for the 30-year-old Spain international. The Ballon d'Or winner has entered the final year of his current contract at the Etihad Stadium. While Real Madrid have also expressed interest in the midfielder, City officials have indicated they will not consider a sale unless bidding reaches approximately €80 million ($92 million). Maresca addressed the situation after consulting with director of football Hugo Viana, stating there is currently no update regarding a departure.

The World Cup winner is presently recovering from back surgery, a procedure that may result in him missing the opening fixtures of the upcoming campaign. Despite the rehabilitation process, Maresca expects the player to be present when the team begins final preparations for the Community Shield against Arsenal next weekend. The midfielder was previously recognized as the player of the tournament during Spain’s successful World Cup campaign.

The upcoming season marks a significant transition for the club as they prepare for life without Pep Guardiola at the helm for the first time in a decade. Manchester City is scheduled to begin their Premier League schedule on Aug. 23. That opening fixture will take place at home against AFC Bournemouth. The squad will travel back to England from South Korea this week to integrate returning players ahead of the domestic curtain-raiser at Wembley.

Latest developments

Internal club logic remains firm regarding the valuation of the Spanish midfielder despite the pressure of his expiring contract. The rejected €50 million bid from Barcelona sits €30 million below the price tag established by City leadership. As of Aug. 9, no improved offers have been reported from either Barcelona or their LaLiga rivals in Madrid. Maresca reiterated his expectation for the player's arrival next Wednesday, maintaining that "at the moment he will be in Manchester."

The victory in Seoul showcased the depth of the current roster, with Marmoush demonstrating clinical finishing in the second half. The first goal of his double resulted from a precise low cross, while the second saw him capitalize on a defensive lapse in the 76th minute. Aït-Nouri’s strike in the 88th minute ensured the margin of victory reflected the dominance City exerted after the 60-minute mark. These tactical adjustments provided Maresca with his first significant win since taking charge of the first-team operations.

Logistics for the return flight to the United Kingdom are finalized for Monday morning, allowing the coaching staff four full days of training before the Aug. 14 deadline for international returnees. The medical department has been monitoring the recovery of the Spanish international remotely, providing daily updates to Viana and the technical staff. While the €80 million valuation remains a steep barrier for interested parties, the club is prioritizing the player's fitness over market speculation. The upcoming clash at Wembley serves as the final litmus test for the squad's readiness before the league opener against Bournemouth.