You would have forgiven Pep Guardiola for never wanting to rest Rodri again after what happened during his suspension, but then that was never likely to be an option with a player who raised his concerns about the number of games he played last season with Manchester City.
Rodri made 56 appearances last season and clocked up 4,465 minutes on the way to the treble, but he knew that wasn't sustainable.
He earned an enforced rest earlier this season after getting sent off but City lost all three games without him. Whatever Guardiola tried against Newcastle, Wolves and Arsenal didn't work, but perhaps the absence of Rodri was only half the dilemma.
Kalvin Phillips and Mateo Kovacic floundered in the holding role without him, but had they had John Stones for support then maybe it would have been a different story. ALSO READ: City player ratings vs Young Boys ALSO READ: City vs Young Boys as it happened The win against Young Boys was only his fourth start since the Community Shield and he lasted just 45 minutes before suffering a recurrence of his injury.