The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Madrid were saved by final whistle, says City midfielder Rodri
Manchester City midfielder Rodri believes the final whistle came to Real Madrid’s rescue at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night.
Premier League champions City produced a stunning performance to come from behind and beat the Spanish giants 2-1 in the first leg of their Champions League last16 tie.
Real had led through a 60th-minute Isco strike but City were dominant throughout the second half and claimed a deserved and famous victory with Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne goals in the final 12 minutes.
The hosts’ woes were compounded when Sergio Ramos was sent off in the closing stages and Rodri thinks City would have won even more convincingly had the game gone on longer.
The Spain international said: “They dropped off physically in the last 10 to 15 minutes and we made the most of that.
“If the game had lasted a little longer we could have done more damage still, but given the way the game was, it is a very good result for us.”
The sides will meet again in the second leg at the Etihad Stadium in two weeks. Real may not be as formidable as in the days of Cristiano Ronaldo, but Rodri has warned City against complacency.
Rodri said: “It is a good result but it’s not done at all, knowing the opponent we have before us. We will approach the game with the greatest seriousness and I am sure they will battle.
“Of course you can tell (when someone like Ronaldo is not there). Those kind of players, of which there are basically two in the world, who tip the balance, you notice when they’re not there. They’re a bit flatter.
“But that doesn’t mean they’re worse. They have good midfielders and they impose on you more. They’re still a very hard team. Everyone knows what Madrid are like, what they’re capable of.”