Rodri: I know we’re better than Real
● Midfielder says City are stronger than Spanish giants but must show it tonight
MAN CITY (2)
V REAL MADRID (1)
Champions League last 16 2nd leg Etihad Stadium Tonight, 8pm
Live on BT Sport 1
Midfielder Rodri believes Manchester City are stronger than Real Madrid – but they still need to prove it.
City will have the chance to do just that as they host the Spanish champions in the long-delayed second leg of their Champions League last16 tie tonight.
The English side hold a 2-1 aggregate lead after a memorable victory at the Bernabeu in February but they still have to finish the job.
Rodri, who joined City from Real’s rivals Atletico Madrid last summer, said: “I know we have a better team but we have to show we are a better team of course – on the pitch, with good behaviour and personality. That is just a general opinion of mine. Words are worthless if you can’t demonstrate that on the field. It is down to us to prove that.
“We are a side that is full of goals, we have got talented players in every area of the field and everyone can contribute with scoring.
“But it is useless just saying that. We have got to play well andwehavegottomatchthem where they have got more than us – and that’s experience on a massive stage like this.
“They have a strong mentality in these big games. If we can match them in those areas, fate will decide, but I think we’ll have a good chance.”
Despite his confidence, Rodri is well aware of the price City could pay for any slip-ups.
City may have an advantage but Real, 13-time European champions, have momentum. When the season resumed after the Covid-19 stoppage, they won ten games in succession to overtake Barcelona and win Laliga.
“They are more than a team,” Rodri said. “They have that way of playing that you can never relax. Even if you are winning 3-0 or 4-0, they can always come back.”
City boss Pep Guardiola insists his team are ready for the challenge, with the reward for success being a place in the new last-eight mini-tournament in Lisbon.
Guardiola said: “I have the feeling now that we are ready to play the game, do a good performance and win the game. To win this competition you have to beat teams like Madrid, we cannot expect another issue.”