Ahead of Manchester City’s start to their Champions League campaign, Rodri has opened up on his side's semi-final loss to Real Madrid in May and the struggles the upcoming World Cup will present to their schedule.
The Premier League champions face Sevilla in their opening group-stage clash at the famous Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán Stadium on Tuesday evening to begin another pursuit of their maiden Champions League crown.
Tricky tests against Borussia Dortmund and FC Copenhagen await Pep Guardiola's men in the weeks to follow as the Blues compete on all fronts after retaining the Premier League title last season.
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Manchester City came up just short at the penultimate hurdle last term as a late capitulation saw them throw away a two-goal aggregate lead late on in their semi-final second leg tie against Real Madrid.
Rodrygo’s brace in the dying embers of the clash took the game to extra time after Riyad Mahrez's strike appeared to have sent City to consecutive Champions League finals.
Karim Benzema, who scored twice in Madrid's 4-3 loss in the opening leg, converted from the spot in extra time after being brought down by Ruben Dias in the area.
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After failing to put the tie to bed at the Etihad Stadium, where City missed a host of clear goalscoring chances, Guardiola's side failed to get over the line once again in Europe's elite club competition.
Speaking ahead of the beginning of a new Champions League campaign, Manchester City midfielder Rodri looked back at the crushing defeat to Real Madrid and how the Premier League champions can kick on from a successful campaign all round last term.
“When you finish the season you see what you did good and can improve and move on. We did a great season," the 26-year-old said.
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“We didn’t arrive to the Champions League final and the FA Cup but the season was good, we won the Premier League.”
City have made several new additions to the squad in the summer - namely Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez, Kalvin Phillips, Stefan Ortega and Manuel Akanji.
“New players, new goals and targets for the season - you have to adapt to what the coach wants with new players," Rodri added.
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The Spain international further delivered his verdict on how the upcoming World Cup will impact City's schedule, with an overwhelming majority of the first-team squad set to represent their respective nations midway through the domestic season.
“It is what it is - (it has) been the same the last years but without a World Cup," the former Atletico Madrid star said.
"Every three days is normal, I don’t know if it’s the best for players but we have to adapt. You need a large team with everyone involved, (just) 11 players is impossible.
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"We start this run and it’s the moment you have to take care more and balance everything and give everything.”
Topics: Manchester City, Premier League, Sevilla, Champions League, La Liga, UEFA, Rodri
Declan Harris