Real Madrid prepare for a high-stakes UEFA Champions League showdown against Manchester City, forward Rodrygo has admitted his discomfort playing against the English champions.
Speaking at a pre-match press conference ahead of Tuesday’s first-leg playoff at the Etihad Stadium, the Brazilian forward shared his candid thoughts on facing Pep Guardiola’s side.
“I don’t like playing against Manchester City so much,” Rodrygo said via Real Madrid’s official website. “Nobody likes playing against City as much as playing against us.”
Despite his reservations, Rodrygo is drawing confidence from past encounters with the reigning European champions.
“I was happy after many games against them, and I hope tomorrow’s game will be one of them,” he said. “In some ties, I was happy, and in others, not so much.”
Acknowledging the difficulty of the challenge ahead, Rodrygo remains optimistic about his current form and potential impact.
“It’s always difficult to play against them, but I’m in very good form, and I think I can be decisive and help the team,” he added.
Manchester City enter this fixture in unfamiliar territory, with injuries, dips in form, and other factors making them slight underdogs—a rare status under Guardiola. However, dismissing City would be premature, setting the stage for what promises to be a thrilling encounter between two European heavyweights.
