Manchester City midfielder Rodri expressed disappointment and frustration after his team's elimination from the UEFA Champions League at the hands of Real Madrid. Despite a dominant performance from City, they were unable to secure victory, ultimately losing on penalties.
The match witnessed Manchester City taking control early on with a goal from Rodrygo, followed by an equalizer from Kevin De Bruyne in the 76th minute. However, despite their efforts, City fell short in the penalty shootout, with Mateo Kovacic and Bernardo Silva failing to convert their spot-kicks.
Rodri's frustration was evident as he remarked, "Today I've only seen one team." He acknowledged Real Madrid's defensive prowess, stating, "In terms of defending, they defend and they knew how to suffer." Despite feeling that City deserved to progress based on their performance, Rodri conceded, "Football does not pay attention to merit, it is only about putting the ball in the net."
Reflecting on the tactical approach of Real Madrid, Rodri noted, "We did not expect them to be so, so far deep in their set up." He also highlighted the impact of penalties, suggesting, "We had the feeling that penalties suited them better."
The tense encounter at the Etihad Stadium saw Real Madrid defending their first-leg lead against Pep Guardiola's side. Despite City's efforts, they were unable to break down the resilient defense of the Spanish giants, ultimately succumbing to defeat in the shootout.
With their Champions League dreams dashed, Manchester City still have two competitions to focus on. They currently lead the Premier League standings and are set to face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-final.