It doesn't make sense that Manchester City is so fragile just because of Rodri's absence, but the absence of Rodri has caused Manchester City to lose a lot and they can't find an alternative to replace him. Real Madrid is the absolute favorite for the return match. Real Madrid's European success has always been admirable and they can continue this every time, there is no other team that can do this.
Although Manchester City's modern, fast and attack-oriented game will still make Real Madrid difficult, Real Madrid will use this as an advantage due to their defensive weaknesses.
Manchester City is fragile because of Rodri's absence in real sense. Guardiola announced much earlier that Nicon Gonzalez will help them plug in the gap which is left by the Rodri's absence but truth of the matter is that Rodri's absence will continue to be left out until a more stronger midfield takes in the gap. Pep Guardiola didn't do so much in terms of the back up players. Ancelotti have done well in working hard on his backups unlike the Guardiola team who is battling for survival.
Rodri has always been very productive midfielder, in helping the attack or even being behind to strengthen the defense, he provides convenience in creating quality playing power and the absence of this midfielder makes the proportion of Manchester City game change even with substitute players can not really fill the void as well as expected.
And when distinguishing between Pep and Ancelotti then we will find significant difference, Ancelotti with Real Madrid has reliable reserve players and they can target players who are really useful, unlike Pep with Manchester City who overall the reserve players are not really able to perform consistently.
But it pretty good now Manchester City has looked better than at the beginning of the season when the crucial problem of the player crisis situation began.