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Manchester City know 'we have a better team' than Real Madrid, warns Rodri

AFP via Getty Images
AFP via Getty Images

Rodri has issued a defiant statement ahead of Manchester City’s Champions League showdown with Real Madrid, insisting: “I know we have the better team.”

But the midfielder warned Pep Guardiola’s side not to crumble in the battle of mind games against Zinedine Zidane’s Spanish champions.

Pep Guardiola describes Real as the “kings” of Europe – and Rodri admits City will have to overcome the legend of the 13-time Champions League winners as the Galacticos on the pitch.

He said: “They are more than a team. They have that way of playing where you can never relax even if you are winning three or 4-0 they always come back and have that huge personality to become the champions they have been.

“It is the biggest team in this competition and they show that to the world. But now football has changed a little bit - it is so competitive the distances between teams are so narrow.

“I know we have the better team but we have to show it on the pitch tomorrow. If we do things well.”

“Words are worthless if you can’t prove that on the field. We’ve got to match Real Madrid on what they may have that is better than us and that is experience in these games.”

City defend a 2-1 lead from their famous win at the Bernabeu in the first leg back in February. To overcome them in the second leg would be a major statement of their credentials to finally conquer Europe.

Rodri added: “Beating these teams is a big confidence for us. It is important to win tomorrow, but we are focused on winning the Champions League.

“The confidence of the team is to get this goal. It is so important for this club. It is a dream for me, but we know it is step by step. Tomorrow is a final for us.

“Since I came here my goal was winning every single tournament. There is one left in the season. We already won two.

“It is a tournament we haven’t achieved in this team. It is our dream. We are focused on the Champions because we have been close in years before. It is the main goal of us and we are going to fight until the end.”

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