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The Champions League final is the “exam” that Manchester City have to pass, according to star midfielder Rodri.
The Manchester outfit take on Italian giants Inter in the major European final on Saturday.
Pep Guardiola’s men go into the game as Premier League and FA Cup champions, having lifted the league title late last month and clinched the domestic cup at the beginning of this month.
Rodri: UCL final an “exam”
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Midfielder Rodri has been a key player under Guardiola this season, with the Spaniard dominating things on the pitch in terms of his tackling and passing.
He has been crucial to the aforementioned success in England, and is now desperate to help clinch a superb treble for his side. The Manchester club have passed all the tests so far this season, with one final test coming up against Italian side Inter.
“Pep said you will not be ‘big, big’ if you don’t win in Europe,” said Rodri, as quoted by BBC Sport. “It’s the exam we have to pass again.
“It’s another final and we are ready. I’m going to push the guys to be ourselves, be confident, try our best and fight for the final.”
Rodri aware of Inter’s strength
Man City have enjoyed their time in the Champions League this season, with Guardiola’s men topping their group, winning four matches and drawing the other two.
The English side scored 14 goals and conceded just twice in this season’s Champions League campaign, outshining their opponents Borussia Dortmund, Sevilla and Copenhagen in Group G.
Inter meanwhile finished second in Group C, which was definitely much harder than City’s, with the Italian club having to get past Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Viktoria Plzen.
They won three of their games, drawing one and losing the other two. They scored 10 times and conceded seven.
And while Man City topped the Premier League, Inter have been forced to settle for third place in Serie A. Rodri is, however, still expecting a tough test in the final.
”We have not been focusing on it too much but of course it is there, something we dream about,” added Rodri. “Inter are a tough team, with five at the back. They are in the final too.”
Champions League star in best form of his life
As mentioned, Rodri has been a star for his side this season, and the midfielder is fully aware of just how special he has been.
He has, of course, been helped by his fellow stars at the club, with Kevin De Bruyne, Ilkay Gundogan, Bernardo Silva and Phil Foden all enjoying successful campaigns too in that area of the pitch.
Phenomenal striker Erling Haaland meanwhile has stolen all the headlines with his stunning goalscoring record in his debut season in Manchester.
When asked if he has ever been in better form, Rodri said: “In my opinion, no. I feel in the best moment – physically, mentally, the way I understand the game.
“I have tried to grow and learn. This is my fourth year and there have been lots of lessons. I feel more mature. But you have to win. It’s not only about playing well, it is about being part of a winning team.”
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