FOR ROD’S SAKE
Midfield maestro needs some time to put feet up
MANCHESTER CITY star Rodri has begged Pep Guardiola for a rest after admitting he is knackered
Rodri has pushed himself to the limit for the champions this season, after starting 22 of their last 24 games in all competitions.
But the Spanish midfielder reckons he needs a break after running out of steam – and will speak to Guardiola (below) ahead of this weekend’s Premier League clash with Luton. Rodri has not lost in 65 consecutive competitive games for club and country – but was off the pace in City’s thrilling 3-3 draw against Real Madrid in the Champions League on Tuesday.
And Rodri has told Guardiola that he needs some time out, if he is to produce his best form again in a bid to help City win back-to-back Trebles.
Rest
Rodri wants to feel refreshed ahead of the quarter final, second leg against Real at the Etihad next week.
He said: “I do need a rest. Let’s see how we speak, how we live the situation. “Sometimes it is what it is. I need to adjust. It (rest) is something we are lacking, yeah.
“Every one of us can do better, even myself. But we need to rest, to be honest.” Rodri, meanwhile, hailed the character of his side after they came from being 2-1 down in Madrid to earn a draw and take a slight advantage heading into the second leg. He said: “We showed our mentality to come back, to be honest. The media has spoken about rest and it’s important.
Mentality
“They were a bit fresher than us in the first-half, it’s normal. But I think the mentality of the team to go against them and come back with those goals sums up the champions we are.
“It was a good result for us in terms of how the game was, and everything is open. It’s one game at our home now and we are very strong there.”
City demolished Real 4-0 at the Etihad last season in the semifinals and Rodri reckons Guardiola’s men can knock the 14-time winners out of Europe for the second season running. He added: “Of course we can recreate it.
“We know how strong we are at our home. The key thing in Madrid was we knew whatever happened, it wasn’t going to be over – if we won or lost.
“We have a draw, which is the same result we had last season. In terms of how the game was, it’s a good result in terms of the feeling of the team.
Strong
“Now we move to Manchester, and we know how strong we are there.
“If we copy the first 20 to 30 minutes of the secondhalf, it’s going to be difficult for them. But we will need our crowd to be there for us.”
THE last time Rodri lost playing a competitive match for Manchester City was on February 5 last year when they were beaten 1-0 at Spurs, with Harry Kane scoring after 15 minutes.
He missed their 1-0 defeat by Aston Villa in December and was banned for their other three defeats this season after being sent off against Nottingham Forest in September.
Rodri has now NOT lost a competitive City match for 431 days, winning 51 and drawing 14.