Rodri scored 14 Premier League goals for Manchester City. minutes when the tone of his voice changes, he slows down his words and shoots you with that look.
“The difference between becoming a champion or not is in these months, so we understand that we must be the best version of ourselves,” the Manchester City midfielder deliberately says. «Take care of yourself; mentality, leadership should be there.
«I've been here for four years and you see the faces of the guys… every time we get to these moments, less laughter, more focus and seriousness. If you put it all together, you will get results.”
In other words, the mindset of serial winners. “The only thing you can do is win, win, win, win. No time to paint,” he adds. «Sometimes it's exhausting because it feels like you'll never get a day off, but that's what you have to do to win.
«We've been great in recent months and we just want to keep that same level. In my opinion, if we continue at the same level as before, I think we will not be stopped. But we have to show it on the field.”
'If you can win a treble in one season, that says a lot'
The conviction with which Rodri speaks is almost chilling. and therefore, perhaps unsurprisingly, he does not try to tiptoe about City winning the treble.
In fact, the Spaniard stopped his inquisitor even before the question was over. «I'd love that,» Rhodri interjected.
“I would love it. Maybe you can take three years to win the FA Cup, the Premier League and the Champions League. May be. But if you can do it in one season…
"'You were able to win all three with the same team and in all those games in one season!?” It says more. We are alive in all competitions, we know we can do it, that's why we are there. It will be a first [for us] and a big one for the club. From now until the end, we will work like machines to win every game and give nothing to the opponent.” />The midfielder (centre) has become a key cog under Guardiola's tutelage. Photo: Getty Images/Marc Atkins. defeating City in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley on Saturday.
On the one hand, this would mean that United would not face an aggressive team from Pep Guardiola in the final on June 3, if United had a tough game against Brighton at first, but in addition, this would have kept their status as the only English club in history to win the FA Championship. Cup, Premier League title and Champions League in one season.
There is no margin for error in the pursuit of history, and so by beating Bayern Munich 4-1 in two legs to set up a second successive Champions League semi-final against tournament kings Real Madrid next month, City's focus is shifting back. to internal affairs and another defining week.
After Sheffield United, Premier League leaders Arsenal will visit the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday in a game that could well determine the title's destination. City have won their last 14 league matches of the 2018/19 season, one point clear of Liverpool, and Rodri is convinced the defending champions, who have won their last six league games, will have to repeat the stunt by winning their last eight. matches to see off Arsenal.
“I assure you, if we want to win the Premier League, we need to win every game,” he says. “I see the level of Arsenal, they only have one competition to focus on and we have three. They can prepare for every game, like the final and the rest, but we can't, so we have to win every game.”
Can Arsenal buckle under pressure? «When you've done it before, you've proven that you can do it again,» he said. “If you have never done it, you may have doubts about whether you can do it. We have been doing this for many years. Ever since I came here, I realized that this is when you need to take a step forward.”
'I don’t consider myself the same player as other midfielders'
Rodri's importance to City cannot be overestimated. No player in the Premier League has completed more passes, won more balls in the middle third or initiated more moves that resulted in a goal or shot in open play than Manchester City, who signed from Atlético Madrid in 63 million pounds in 2019.
He is the conductor of Guardiola's symphony, as influential in attack as in defense, and scores great goals, the last time his left foot hit the top corner against Bayern.