The news that no Manchester City fan wanted to hear was confirmed by Pep Guardiola on Friday, as Rodri was ruled out of the Citizens' opening Premier League clash against Chelsea on Sunday.
The Spain international has not featured in a competitive contest since the Euro 2024 final, where he had to be replaced by Martin Zubimendi at half time as La Roja overcame England 2-1 in Berlin.
Rodri's issue was not a serious one, but alongside his fellow Euro 2024 finalists - John Stones, Kyle Walker and Phil Foden - the 28-year-old enjoyed an extended break and missed the whole of pre-season.
Rodri was also absent from last weekend's Community Shield win over Manchester United, and Guardiola confirmed in his pre-game press conference that the Spaniard had "no chance" of facing Enzo Maresca's side.
Hailed as one of the best - if not the best - lynchpin on the planet and a serious contender for the 2024 Ballon d'Or, Rodri's absence is a rare but crushing blow for the Premier League champions, who are far from their best when he is not making the team tick.
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Man City have lost seven of 18 games without Rodri
With the former Atletico Madrid man in the side, City have collected 128 wins from a possible 172 in the Premier League since 2019-20, in addition to drawing 25 of those contests and losing on just 19 occasions.
That tally represents a win ratio of 74.4%, and they have also accumulated a staggering 409 points, but they have only prevailed in 55.6% of their top-flight bouts without Rodri in the team.
From 18 Premier League matches that Rodri has been absent for, the reigning English champions have won 10, drawn one and lost seven of them, picking up 31 points and dropping a further 23.
While City average 2.38 points per game when Rodri is available, that figure decreases to 1.72 when he is not fit, and his absence was well and truly felt on a couple of occasions last season.
Indeed, City suffered defeats in three of the four Premier League games that the Spaniard missed, going down to Arsenal, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa when Rodri was serving suspensions.
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Before those Premier League losses, a Rodri-less City exited the EFL Cup early to Newcastle United, although they smashed Luton Town 5-1 in a game where the midfielder was an unused substitute.
Who will replace Rodri for Chelsea clash?
As well as Rodri being unavailable, City have allowed one of his natural replacements - Kalvin Phillips - to leave on loan for Ipswich Town, although Guardiola can still call upon an embarrassment of riches.
One or both of Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes could plug the gap at Stamford Bridge, with Bernardo Silva and/or Kevin De Bruyne completing a central trident, although the former is also an option to replace the injured Oscar Bobb out wide.
If Guardiola is after a more natural number six, he could turn to 21-year-old Maximo Perrone, but the Argentine is not expected to make his maiden Premier League start at Stamford Bridge.
While Rodri has been ruled out, Guardiola was more coy about the availabilities of Walker, Foden and Stones, but he has suggested that none of them will start Sunday's game.
Ben Knapton
