Rodri: Manchester City midfielder says he needs “rest” as Treble pursuit hots up after Real Madrid draw
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Published 10/04/2024 at 16:03 GMT
Rodri has been a key player for Manchester City this season and is behind only Phil Foden for the number of minutes he has played for the team. He admits he is in need of a "rest" as City continue to have a busy schedule in pursuit of another Treble. Rodri also said City's comeback in their 3-3 draw with Real Madrid in the UEFA Champions League shows the "mentality of the champions".
Man City midfielder Rodri
Image credit: Getty Images
Manchester City midfielder Rodri has admitted he is in need of a “rest” as he continues to play a pivotal role in the club’s pursuit of another Treble.
Rodri made his 41st appearance of the season in the 3-3 UEFA Champions League quarter-final first leg draw with Real Madrid on Tuesday.
He has played 3,498 minutes for City this campaign, behind only Phil Foden (3,560).
“I do need a rest,” said Rodri.
“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 planning, yeah.”
City play six more games this month as they attempt to win the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup this season.
Given Rodri's importance to City it is unclear when he will get the chance to rest.
City have lost all four domestic games they have played without him this season while he has not lost a game with City in 429 days.
Reflecting on the draw with Madrid that saw City recover from 2-1 behind, Rodri added: “We showed our mentality to come back, to be honest.
“The media has spoken about rest and it’s important. They were a bit fresher in the first half than us, it’s normal. But I think the mentality of the team to go against them and come back with those goals sums up the mentality of the champions we are.”
City host Real in the return leg next Wednesday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
“It’s one game in our home now and we are very strong there,” said Rodri.
“We know how strong we are in our home. The key thing on Tuesday night – we knew whatever happened it wasn’t going to be over, even if we won or we lost.
“In terms of how the game was, it’s a good result in terms of the feeling of the team. We were finding the spaces in the second half, we did it great and now we move to Manchester, to our home and we know how strong we are there.
“If we copy the first 20-30 minutes of the second half it’s going to be difficult for them. We will need our crowd to be there for us.”
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