Rodrygo reveals Real Madrid’s reluctance to play against Man City in the Champions League

Real Madrid forward Rodrygo has admitted that his side ‘did not want to face’ Manchester City, as they prepare to host the Premier League outfit in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The 23-year-old has branded City as the world’s best team and reflected on past fixtures between the two giants. The sides will face each other for a third successive season on Tuesday, after City won last year’s semi-final and Rodryo scored twice in stoppage time to secure his team a victory the year before.

But the Brazilian has revealed that Madrid didn’t want to face off against Man City again, but also insisted that City would’ve also preferred to avoid being drawn against Madrid too.

Speaking on the upcoming tie, he said: “It brings back good memories but also bad ones. This was an opponent that, to be honest, we didn’t want to face. And they think the same as well: they didn’t want to play against us.

“It’s a game that everyone expects to be the final, but it’s going to be now. City are very good, but our team is also very strong. It’s going to be good to meet them again. They’re the world champions, today they’re the best team in the world, so we have total respect for them.

“They have a very good control of the game and of the ball. It’s a very beautiful game, a very difficult team. It’s very annoying to play against them but I believe in our team.”

Madrid currently sit eight points clear at the top of La Liga, whereas City are in the midst of a Premier League fight, just one point behind Arsenal and Liverpool.

Overall in the Champions League, City have won four fixtures against Madrid, and the Spanish side have taken three victories. Whoever progresses past this stage will face either Arsenal or Bayern Munich in the semi-finals, which will take place in May.