Rodri ready for Champions League showdown

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  • Post published:June 6, 2023

Manchester City midfielder Rodri believes his have learned from their previous mistakes as they attempt to secure their maiden Champions League title on Saturday.

With a win over Inter Milan in Istanbul, City will win the Premier League, the FA Cup, and the Champions League, making it the first team to win all three.

Two years ago, Pep Guardiola’s team made it to the final for the first time in the club’s history, but they lost to Chelsea 1-0 in Porto.

Last year, Real Madrid’s amazing late comeback in the semi-finals caused more heartbreak.

But in the last four of this season’s tournament, City easily beat Madrid 5-1 overall.

“I think Pep said that you will not be ‘big, big’ if you don’t win in Europe. It’s the exam we have to pass again,” said the Spanish international.

“Another final and we are ready, that’s all I can say. I’m just going to push the guys to be ourselves. Be confident, be ourselves and try our best and fight for the final.”

Since Abu Dhabi backed a takeover of the club 15 years ago and put billions of pounds into it, City has wanted to win the Champions League.

But when they got Erling Haaland a year ago, it may have been the last piece of the puzzle. The big Norwegian has scored 52 goals in his first season, so he could be the last piece.

“I think that the experience is a very good point,” added Rodri. “Also the players that came in make a massive impact to give us extra every year.

“I think that the squad in general, you learn as a group. We try to innovate and push ourselves to the limit every time.”

Photo by EPA/PETER POWELL